***Promises free, fair elections in Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo
By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has admonished media practitioners to adhere to professional and ethical standards in the course of discharging their constitutional responsibility of holding government to account.
He has also said the Commission will continue to collaborate with the INEC Press Corp in providing the requisite information that enables its members to engage in the electoral process and educate citizens to make informed choices.
Speaking at a Two-Day Workshop for INEC Press Corp (IPCs) on Ethical, Safety Practices and Critical Issues Relating to Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo Governorship Elections held at Akwanga, Nasarawa state on Monday, October 16, 2023, Yakubu said the Commission and the media have had a robust relationship since he assumed office.
He promised that both will continue to work together to improve the electoral process in Nigeria, pointing out that INEC Press Corp as a partner in progress will continue to receive the support of the Commission to train its members to improve in election reportage.
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 you in providing the requisite information that enables you all to engage in the electoral process and educate citizens to make informed choices”.
Also, INEC Chairman said that the workshop in Akwanga is coming as the Commission intensify its preparations for the off-cycle governorship elections scheduled for November 11 in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States.
According to him the purpose of this exercise is to deepen the participants’ knowledge of the Commission’s processes and procedures, which will go a long way in ensuring factual, balanced, and informed coverage of the Commission’s activities.
“On behalf of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), I wish to welcome you to this Two-Day Capacity Building Workshop on Election Reporting and Ethical Practices for the INEC Press Corp Members”, he said.
Sparking further he said: “This workshop is coming as we intensity our preparations for the off-cycle Governorship elections scheduled for 11th November in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States.
“The purpose of this exercise is to deepen the participants’ knowledge of the Commission’s processes and procedures, which will go a long way in ensuring factual, balanced, and informed coverage of the Commission’s activities.
“Coincidentally, this training is coming one year after the last capacity building workshop organized for the INEC Press Corps in Lagos and Abuja. You will agree with me that INEC has modestly demonstrated its commitment, over time, to the professional development media practitioners, enabling them to be well equipped with the requisite knowledge to report electoral activities accurately. Let me assure you we will continue to do”.
Yakubu however said the Commission is conscious of the critical role of the media in our political and electoral process and believes that democracy will only grow and flourish through a free and vibrant media.
He however said, “a free and vibrant press is also obliged to adhere to professional and ethical standards. Indeed, true democracy cannot exist without effective information flow.
“Basically, and as established over time, the role of the media, especially the INEC Press Corp in the electoral process is to:
a. Avail the stakeholders with timely and relevant information pertaining to the electoral process;
b. Carry out voter education and public enlightenment;
c. Mobilize the electorate to participate in the electoral process through awakening in them, the consciousness of taking ownership of the political process;
d. Give visibility and life to the programmes and activities of the Election Management Body with a view to updating stakeholders on the developments in the electoral process;
e. Publicize information and activities of political parties and candidates, with a view to assisting the electorate make informed decisions and choices; and
f. Ensure through their searchlight and reports that the process and rules of engagement in the electoral system as codified in the electoral legal framework are duly complied with.
As first-hand witnesses to the Commission’s activities, the INEC Press Corps members also become the repository of electoral information in Nigeria. This places them at an advantageous position to play important roles in shaping the opinions and editorial policies of their media organizations on issues relating to the programmes and policies of the Commission. The implication is that Press Corps members must be familiar with the Constitutional mandate of the Commission and the roles and powers ascribed to it.
They must therefore strive to understand the intendment and nuances of the powers granted to the Commission by the Constitution and the Electoral Act that are expressed in subsidiary legislations including the Commission’s Regulations, Guidelines and Manuals. READ ALSO:
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Meanwhile, the INEC boss thanked the European Union that has through the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II) Programme implemented by the Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) for consistently supporting the work of the Commission just as he assured that the Commission is ready for the November 11 Off Cycle Governorship Elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states.
According to fifty-five (55) media organizations, comprising 914 personnel have applied through the Commission’s portal for coverage of the elections as of Friday 13th October 2023.
Yakubu reiterated the Commission’s stand that Polling Unit (PU) election results will be scanned and uploaded to the IReV portal as the Commission did during the 2023 General Election.
