Nigeria's electoral body cautions against early campaigns

Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned politicians against early campaigning for the 2015 elections so as to avoid overheating the polity. All political parties and candidates must follow a timetable set by the INEC last month stating that campaigning for the presidential and the National Assembly elections should start Nov. 16, the INEC spokesperson Kayode Idowu said Monday. The elections will be held on Feb. 14, 2015, according to the timetable. Idowu also urged politicians to abide by the Electoral Act to ensure transparency in the political process. "We have issued a timetable to indicate the timeline for campaign. INEC has also repeatedly warned politicians on the need to play politics by the rule," Idowu said. He said though the INEC was not a law enforcement or security agency, it was however in a position to ask agencies for help enforcing laws on electioneering. Idowu reiterated that the INEC is determined to provide a level playing field for all political parties to ensure justice and fair play, with a view to enhancing Nigerians' confidence in its activities. He also asked the media to be factual and objective in their reports, adding that the use of the media to perpetrate partisan manipulation could affect the success of the INEC.