From Harry Awurumibe, Lagos
Apparently aware of the grave danger fake news can pose in an election year, the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has cautioned the media to adhere strictly to its professional and ethical standards of objective and factual reporting.
This is even as he said that the Commission is conscious of the critical role of the media in Nigeria’s political and electoral process, adding that he believes that democracy will only grow and flourish through adherence by the media to the tenets of journalism profession.
The INEC Chairman made stated this in Lagos on Monday at a Two-Day Capacity Building Workshop for INEC Press Corp Members on Critical Issues in the Electoral Act, 2022 and the Commission’s Processes, Innovations, and Preparations for the 2023 General Election holding at Radisson Blu Ikeja.
Yakubu who was represented by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Barrister Festus Okoye, reminded the media of their constitutional and legal obligations, adding that state apparatus including the media must not be employed to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate at any election.
Said he: “The INEC Press Corp is an indispensable partner in the electoral process and they provide a veritable platform and pathway for the dissemination of electoral information to the Nigerian public”.
“The Commission will continue to collaborate with the Press Corp in providing the requisite information that enables them to engage the electoral process and educate citizens to make informed choices”.
However, Yakubu has noted that the Commission will continue to use technology to improve and enhance the credibility of elections in Nigeria, he added that their goal is electoral justice where every Nigerian will experience electoral fulfilment.
He therefore charged the political parties to critically study and pay attention to the provisions of the Constitution, the Electoral Act, the Police Act and the Public Order Act for the proper and peaceful conduct of political campaigns, rallies and processions.
He also hinted on the Commission’s efforts in adhering to set timelines in carrying out its activities, saying that, “As of today, the Commission has undertaken 8 out of the 14 items on the Calendar and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election. On 20th September 2022, the Commission released the Final List of Candidates standing nominated for National Elections (Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates, Senatorial and House of Representative Candidates).
“On 4th October 2022, the Commission will release the Final List of candidates standing nominated in relation to State Elections (Governorship, Deputy Governorship and State Assemblies). On 28th September 2022 Presidential and National Assembly campaigns will start while that of Governorship and State Assembly candidates will start on 12th October 2022”, he said.
Earlier in his Welcome Remarks, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, (REC) Lagos State, Segun Agbaje urged the media to live up to their responsibility by avoiding sensational or divisive approaches in their coverage of political issues.
He also charged them to amongst others; educate voters to vote appropriately to avoid incidence of high records of invalid ballots at election; educate the citizens on the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022; checkmate the current trend of fake news and sensational reportage of events; collaborate with INEC and other stakeholders to checkmate vote buying; give a level playing ground to all parties/candidates by allocating equal media time and coverage; and help to reduce electoral violence to the barest minimum.
Also speaking at the event, the Team Leader, DAI, Rudolf Elbling in his Goodwill message, said the DAI working with INEC under the European Union Funded Programme “Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria” (EU-SDGN), organized the workshop for the Media to help address the issues of disinformation, misinformation and fake news, adding that the Media are important partners towards a credible election in Nigeria.
