Lift of Ban on Political Campaigns: INEC Bans use of Private Securities, Vigilantes, Masquerades

Daniel Efe/Port Harcourt

As the political campaigns officially kickstart across the country tomorrow, Wednesday, September 28, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has banned the use of private security guards, Vigilantes and Masquerades for political campaigns and at rallies.

INEC stated that it is against the new Electoral Act for political parties to employ the services of any other unapproved security outfits other than the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC and other federal security agencies.

Festus Okoye, the National Commissioner in Charge of Voter Education and Publicity gave the warning today during Port Harcourt based radio Programme on Nigeria Info fm said “The using of private security guards for reasons of providing protection for candidates at rallies are prohibited. It is only the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC and other federal security agencies are permitted by law to be at play in Political rallies and political processions”.

On the prosecution of offenders of political parties or individuals who violate these laws like the use of unauthorized places like religious Centres, Police Station and others, Okoye clarified that it is primary responsibility of Nigeria Police Force, NPF, to arrest, investigate Electoral Offenders. INEC would carry out the prosecution in conjunction with the Police and office of the Attorney Generals in the  various States.

He said INEC Chairman, Mahmoud Yakubu, has severally canvased before members of the National Assembly and before the Nigerian people that what Nigeria needs now is a Commission that will assume the responsibility for the arrest, investigation and prosecution of  Electoral Offenders.

Okoye also stated further that the Chairman Yakubu, had canvassed for the setting up of Electoral Offences Commission and Tribunal to take care of the punishment of violators of the provisions of the Electoral Act.

“We as a nation break the circle of impunity in Electoral Offences in this country because people believe that they can commit Electoral Offences with impunity and get away with it, Okoye stated.