The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has set protocols that must be met by political parties before holding public rallies for the Edo and Ondo state governorship polls amid rising coronavirus cases in the country.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye also announced in Abuja that before holding any rally, political parties must give INEC a seven-day notice. It was leant that gathered the criteria, were aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 at the rallies.
He noted that the commission had informed political parties that their guidelines for campaigns must conform with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC protocols, including social distancing and use of face masks.
The INEC commissioner also cautioned against crowded rallies, saying political parties are encouraged to develop appropriate guidelines for the conduct of rallies and campaigns taking into consideration all the guidelines and protocols developed by health authorities at the national and state levels.
His Statement Reads:
“where there are conflicts between political parties’ guidelines on the conduct of rallies and campaigns and those issued by the commission, the commission shall draw the attention of the political parties to the discrepancies.”
“All the registered political parties are aware of the global pandemic and how it has affected the way we live and organise and we expect political parties to factor the health and safety of Nigerians into their guidelines for campaigns and rallies.
“We expect political parties to be creative, innovative and dynamic in their rallies and campaigns. It is the responsibility of political parties to design campaign strategies in line with the regulations and protocols issued by health authorities.”
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