By EMMANUEL OLONIRUHA

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday approved the publication and release of the guidelines for political campaigns; as well as election expenses of political parties, candidates and aspirants.

This is contained in a statement issued by Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, in Abuja.

Okoye said that the commission met on Thursday and deliberated on several issues including the publication and release of the guidelines, as well deliberated on the appointment of a Secretary to INEC.

“The commission approved the publication and release of the guidelines for the Conduct of Political Rallies, Processions and Campaigns as well as that of Finances and Election Expenses of political parties, Candidates and Aspirants. “

Okoye said that the INEC has consequently uploaded the two documents to its website and social media handles while copies would be made available to political parties, civil society groups, the media and other critical stakeholders.

He 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.

Okoye also disclosed that 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 Dec. 7, in accordance with Section 8 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

Oriaran-Anthony hails from Edo.

She holds a Bachelor of Education (B. Ed) degree in Language Arts from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, a Masters’ degree in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Abuja and another Masters’ 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 before her first appointment on Dec. 5 2018.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 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.” (NAN)

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