CUPP Moves Against INEC, Directs Political Parties To Resume Campaigns

The Coalition of United Political Parties(CUPP) has directed its over 51 member political parties to resume campaigns ahead of the presidential and National Assembly elections rescheduled for this Saturday.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had said political parties were not allowed to continue with campaigns after it postponed the presidential and National Assembly elections that were slated for February 16, 2019.

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The postponement came after INEC’s meeting with some stakeholders in the early hours of yesterday (Saturday). The electoral body cited logistical challenges for postponing the elections.

But moving against the embargo placed on campaigns by INEC, the CUPP asked its members to return to campaign grounds “in view of the provisions of the Section 99 of the Electoral Act”.

In a statement on Sunday by its first national spokesperson, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the coalition said: “The over 51 Member parties of the Coalition of United Political Parties(CUPP) hereby directs all members to return to the campaigns fields and recommence campaigns and end by midnight of Thursday 21st February, 2019 as required by Law.

“Section 99(1) of the Electoral Act provides that public campaigns shall end 24 hours prior to the day of Polling.
It is therefore wrong to expect that political parties will stop campaigns on 14th February for Polls that will open on 23rd February.

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“It is unlawful and statutorily wrong to curtail the clear intendment of this Section of the Electoral Act which is clear and unambiguous.

“Campaigning until 24 hours prior to the day of polling is a statutory right of parties and cannot be taken away, curtailed or abridged by any executive fiat. INEC cannot on its own accord limit the period of campaigns as it is regulated by law.

“Member parties are hereby directed to continue campaigns from tomorrow and focus on voter remobilization and ensure that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is elected and declared winner of the Presidential election.”

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