Section 126 Nigerian Electoral Act
Section 126 Electoral Act 2022 is about Offences on election day. It is under Part VII (Electoral Offences) of the Act.
(1) No person shall do any of the following acts or things in a polling unit or within a distance of 300 metres of a polling unit on the date on which an election is held—
(a) canvass for votes ;
(b) solicit for the vote of any voter ;
(c) persuade any voter not to vote for any particular candidate ;
(d) persuade any voter not to vote at the election ;
(e) shout slogans concerning the election ;
(f ) be in possession of any offensive weapon or wear any dress or have any facial or other decoration which in any event is calculated to intimidate voters ;
(g) exhibit, wear or tender any notice, symbol, photograph or party card referring to the election ;
(h) use any vehicle bearing the colour or symbol of a political party by any means whatsoever ;
(i) loiter without lawful excuse after voting or after being refused to vote ;
(j) snatch or destroy any election materials ; and
(k) blare siren.
(2) No person shall within the vicinity of a polling unit or collation centre on the day of which an election is held—
(a) convene, hold or attend any public meeting during the hours of poll as may be prescribed by the Commission ;
(b) unless appointed under this Act to make official announcements, operate any megaphone, amplifier or public address apparatus ; or
(c) wear or carry any badge, poster, banner, flag or symbol relating to a political party or to the election.
(3) A person who contravenes any of the provisions of this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of N100,000 or imprisonment for a term of six months for every such offence.
(4) Any person who snatches or destroys any election material or any election device, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of 24 months.
