By Jubril Bada

Ahead of the upcoming governorship election in Ondo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned all 17 political parties participating in the election not to exceed N1 billion in their campaign finance and expenses, as stipulated in Section 88 (3) of the Electoral Act 2022.

The commission noted that a violation of this section on campaign finance and expenses will attract heavy sanctions.

It also urged the political parties to make reports on their campaign finance and expenses public.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in the state, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, stated this during a workshop organized by the electoral body to sensitize the political parties on the necessity of reporting campaign finance and expenses.

Babalola emphasized that since political campaigns in public commenced on June 19, 2024, it is imperative to acquaint the candidates and auditors of political parties with the rules guiding campaign finance and expenses and ensure compliance with the procedures as stipulated in the law.

She reiterated that the total expenses of each political party for the forthcoming governorship election in the state must not exceed N1 billion, as stipulated in Section 88 (3) of the Electoral Act 2022, and that a violation of this section will attract heavy sanctions.

The participants drawn from all 17 political parties contesting the governorship election in the state include the contestants and the political party’s auditors.