INEC releases new dates for end of campaigning and runoffs

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a new schedule of activities for the 2015 general elections. This became necessary following the postponement of the polls to March 28 and April 11.

Under the Electoral Act advertisements and broadcasts are prohibited 24 hours to the day of the election.

Consequently in the new schedule which was signed by the commission’s secretary, Augusta Ogakwu, dated February 11, the presidential and the National Assembly candidates would stop their campaigns on March 26, two days to their elections.

Official opening of the campaigns for presidential and National Assembly was on November 12, 2014.

In the new schedule, campaigns by governorship and state assemblies’ candidates will now end on April 9, rather than the initially scheduled March 26.

INEC explained further that in the event of a run-off, the election would be held within seven days from the day of announcement of the results as specified in the 1999 constitution.