The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has faulted the recent newspaper publication sponsored by Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State and the viral broadcast of Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka’s preaching as hate speeches and insinuations capable of heating up the polity and causing violence before or after the elections.

The Chairman of the Commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, said Sections 95 to 102 of the Electoral Act is explicit on what constitutes hate speech and campaigns that are not permissible under the law.

The Executive Secretary, Mr Bem Angwe, said while media practitioners have a major responsibility to vet what is published through their medium, politicians must avoid the use of hate campaign to prevent crises in the country.

The Human Rights Commission introduced a project tagged Franchise 2015 to monitor, document and provide information for indictment on the use of hate speeches ahead of the elections.

They also announced the launch of an Election Violence Mitigation Centre which will run till June 2015.