The Independent National Electoral Commission has said it will use devices to track campaign expenses of political parties for the 2019 general elections.

The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who stated this, also warned incumbent elected public office holders against using state resources to fund campaigns.



“Another interesting area of campaign finance spending to watch out for is the use of state administrative resources by incumbents, particularly now that the campaigns have kicked off. Section 100 (2) of the Electoral Act provides that state apparatus shall not be employed to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate at any election,” Yakubu stated.

According to him, the commission has also reviewed and redesigned its campaign finance tracking and reporting forms that would be used by parties, candidates and observers.

The INEC Chairman, represented by the commission’s National Commissioner, Prof. Anthonia Okoosi-Simbine, stated these on Monday in Abuja during a stakeholders’ roundtable with the theme, ‘2019 elections – Political corruption and other emerging issues.’



The programme was organised by a coalition of 400 civil rights organisations, Transition Monitoring Groups and two non-governmental organisations: Voice to the People and Hope Givers.

The Chairperson of TMG, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said the roundtable was convened to seek input from experts on how to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2019.

“Experiences from the off-cycle elections have shown https://firstone.com.ng/inec-sets-to-monitor-party-finances-with-tracking-devices-against-2019/