INEC Tightens Campaign Compliance, Warns Parties of ₦10m Fine

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned political parties and candidates that abusive, inflammatory or threatening campaign language could trigger sanctions under the Electoral Act 2026.

The warning places campaign compliance and communication controls firmly on the agenda ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political parties facing a financial penalty of up to ₦10 million for a first offence.

INEC’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said campaign rhetoric could become an electoral offence when it moves beyond legitimate political criticism into hate speech, threats, coercion or language capable of provoking violence.

Under Section 96 of the Electoral Act 2026, campaign messages are restricted where they are capable of inflaming ethnic, religious, tribal or sectional sentiments or provoking violent reactions. A political party found liable faces a ₦10 million fine for a first offence and ₦2 million for subsequent offences. A candidate convicted under the relevant provision may face a fine of up to ₦5 million or imprisonment for up to 12 months.

From a compliance perspective, the warning means political parties need effective controls around campaign communications. This includes clear approval procedures, defined responsibility for public statements, monitoring of official communication channels and escalation mechanisms for potentially non-compliant content.

The risk extends to digital campaigning, where statements can be rapidly distributed through social media and other platforms. Maintaining records of campaign materials and establishing an auditable communication trail can also help parties demonstrate their compliance processes if regulatory questions arise.

INEC has stated that it is empowered to monitor campaigns, enforce compliance with the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and issue formal queries or sanctions within its administrative authority.

For compliance officers and party administrators, the message is clear: campaign communication is a regulated activity, and failure to maintain adequate controls can carry significant financial and legal consequences.