The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday released the guidelines for the conduct of political rallies, processions and campaigns for the 2023 general elections.
INEC’s National Commissioner and its Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Barr. Festus Okoye, made the disclosure in Abuja, saying the guidelines include those for finances and election expenses of political parties, candidates and aspirants.
He said INEC had met and deliberated on several issues, including the publication and release of the guidelines for the conduct of political rallies, processions and campaigns, as well as those of finances and election expenses of parties, candidates and aspirants.
He said, “Consequently, the commission has uploaded the two documents to its website and social media handles while copies will be made available to political parties, civil society groups, the media and other critical stakeholders.”
The commissioner reminded political parties of their obligation to submit the required reports to the commission in accordance with the provisions of Section 90(4) of the Electoral Act 2022 and the applicable sanctions for failure to comply as provided in Section 89(4) of the Electoral Act.
Section 88 of the Electoral Act provides that “the maximum election expenses to be incurred by a candidate at a presidential election shall not exceed N5,000,000,000.
“The maximum amount of election expenses to be incurred by a candidate in respect of governorship election shall not exceed N1,000,000,000” while Section 88 (8) provides that “No individual or other entity shall donate to a candidate more than N50,000,000.”
Meanwhile, Okoye disclosed that INEC has also deliberated on the appointment of its Secretary.
He said: “The commission also approved the reappointment of the Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, for a second and final term of four years, with effect from 7th December, 2022, in accordance with Section 8 of the Electoral Act, 2022.”
He said: “Rose Oriaran-Anthony hails from Edo State. She holds a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree in Language Arts from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, a Master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Abuja and another Master’s degree in Public Communication and Public Relations from the University of Westminster, in the United Kingdom.
“She is the second female Secretary of the commission and the first to have her tenure renewed. She is a long-term staff of the commission and has served as Public Affairs Officer, Assistant Director (Information and Publicity), Deputy Director (Voter Education) and Director (Civil Societies Liaison).
“Her last posting was Administrative Secretary in Delta State before her first appointment on 5th December, 2018.”
