Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has once again, assured Nigerians that it has no preferred party or candidate.
Speaking at the 2022 annual Abubakar Momoh memorial lecture, INEC Chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu said the commission “shall only ensure that all valid votes count and the winners are decided solely by the voters.”
He assured that “the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS), INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED), INEC Results Viewing Portal (IRev) and other technological devices, now in the Electoral Act 2022 were intended to deepen the Electoral process in our country.
“Their optimal performance in the just concluded gubernatorial election in Ekiti and Osun states is an eloquent testimony to their electoral value. We shall only do more to consolidate their deployment in our election.”
Yakubu further said: “It is imperative for all stakeholders especially the political parties to note the major features introduced by the new Electoral Act 2022 and the possible implications of these changes on the upcoming elections.
“These changes include amongst others, the conduct of early party primaries by political parties, technological changes in the electoral process, the Commission’s power to Review the decision of the Returning Officer and Over voting based on the number of accredited Voters.
“These new initiatives as contained in the law served as the bedrock for the reviewed Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022 released by the Commission on 24th May 2022. This in turn dictated the review of the Manual for Election Officials, 2022.”
Keynote speaker at the event, Professor Yemi Akinseye-George(SAN), questioned the reality and practicability of the provisions on the election expenses and limits on donations to political parties.
Examining section 88 (1) of the 2022 Electoral Act which stipulates limitations on elections expenses, Akinseye-George noted that the provisions of the constitution on the audit by INEC of the finances and accounts of political parties were not enforced.
Section 88 (1) of the 2022 Electoral Act states: “Election expenses shall not exceed the sum stipulated in subsections (2)-(7).
“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.
“The maximum amount of election expenses to be incurred by a candidate in respect of Senatorial and House of Representatives seat shall not exceed N100, 000,000 and N70, 000,000 respectively.
“In the case of State Assembly election, the maximum amount of election expenses to be incurred by a candidate shall not exceed N30, 000,000.
“In the case of a chairmanship election to an Area Council, the maximum amount of election expenses to be incurred by a candidate shall not exceed N30, 000,000.
“Other provisions of the Electoral Act limitations of electoral expenses include: “In the case of Councillorship election to an Area Council, the maximum amount of election expenses to be incurred by a candidate shall not exceed N5, 000,000.
“No individual or other entity shall donate to a candidate more than N50, 000,000.”
According to Section 89 (1), election expenses means “For the purposes of an election, “expenses incurred by a political party within the period from the date notice is given by the Commission to conduct an election up to and including, the polling day in respect of the particular election.
“Election expenses incurred by a political party for the management or the conduct of an election shall be determined by the Commission in consultation with the political parties.”
In view of the above, Akinseye-George said: “The question is how realistic or practicable are these provisions on Election expenses and limits on donations to political parties. Does INEC have the capacity to monitor the donations made to political parties?
“The provisions of the Constitution on the audit by INEC of the finances and accounts of political parties are not enforced.”
