…As NUJ partners to strengthen democracy
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has accredited 112, comprising of both national and international media organizations, as well as their technical personnel for the coverage of the Ondo State Governorship election scheduled to hold on Saturday, 16th November, 2024.
This accreditation brings in over 700 journalists, technicians, and other personnel for the media organisations including, newspapers, radio, television, and online platforms.
To facilitate smooth accreditation, INEC opened its online portal on September 9, 2024, and closed it on October 31, 2024.
This process enabled the media organizations apply for accreditation and deploy their personnel to cover the election.
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman , made the clarifications Friday, at the fourth quarterly consultative meeting with the media held at the commission’s Headquarters in Abuja.
Prof. Yakubu assured that the detailed breakdown of the media organizations and the number of personnel to be deployed will be uploaded on the INEC website and social media platforms for public information.
He further announced that a total of 64,273 PVCs were collected by prospective voters out of 89,777 cards delivered to Ondo state.
This, according to him, represents an impressive collection rate of 71.6%.
“I would like to appreciate the media for your support in voter mobilization for the exercise. In the next few days, the Commission will upload to our website the cumulative figure of all PBCs collected in each of the 3,933 polling units across the state for the purpose of result management as provided by law and for public information.
“We learned lessons from previous elections. We have improved on the voter accreditation process and the speed with which we upload results to the INEC Reserve Green Voter. There have been similar improvements in observer and media accreditation.”
*Photo (R-L): Dr. Chris Isiguzo, President, Nigeria Union of Journalists; Chief Malachy Uzendu, Editor, The AUTHORITY and member, Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE); Mrs. Huseina Akilla, Director (News), FRCN and Deputy President, NGE; Hajiya Zainab Okino, Chairman, Editorial Board, Blue Print Newspapers; and Philip Nwelih, Head of Station, Cool FM/WAZOBIA, Abuja and member, NGE, during the briefing.
He also stated that INEC voter education efforts are ongoing. The capacity of election duty staff has improved, with hands-on training for especially the polling unit agents using the beavers. “As we approach the Ondo State Governorship election, there will be further improvements especially in the logistics for the movement of parcel and materials for both land and maritime locations to enable the prompt commencement of polls as well as the management of the processes on election day, from voting to declaration of result.
The INEC boss announced that already, mock accreditation of voters has been uploaded to the IREV portal and has been scheduled for Wednesday, November 6, 2024 in 12 polling units across 6 local government areas in 3 territorial districts of the state.
A document containing the locations of the site or locations for the mock has already been uploaded on the INEC website and hard copies given to media executives during the meeting.
Yakubu appealed to the media to continue to serve as a counterforce against fake news, misinformation and disinformation.
He noted that there has been no major incident of election-related violence known to the Commission in Ondo State so far.
“However, we are aware of flashpoints in some local government areas to which we have already drawn the attention of the security agencies,” he added.
He also announced that the National Peace Committee, under the leadership of the former head of state, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, would be convening the signing of the Peace Accord for Parties and Candidates in Ondo State on Friday, 8 November 2024.
As the Ondo State Governorship election approaches, I appeal to the media to intensify your accurate reportage that will ensure peaceful elections, especially now that the campaign by political parties and candidates is in full swing in the state.
In his remarks, President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Comrade (Dr.) Chris Isiguzo, commended INEC for the regular dialogue that not only strengthens democracy, but also promotes transparency and accountability.
“This particular meeting holds particular significance as it comes less than 12 hours before the 10th International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, which of course comes up by tomorrow.
“This year, the theme is Safety of Journalists in Crisis and Emergencies, which brings into focus the security threats and physical dangers that journalists encounter daily, especially during critical coverage such as elections or investigative reporting. It is an important reminder of the sacrifices media professionals make to ensure citizens are informed, even when their own safety is at risk.
“As we look forward to the upcoming gubernatorial election in on Thursday, and indeed other by-elections coming up in some constituencies, I want to underscore the need for the safety and protection of our journalists,” Isiguzo stated.
He urged security agencies to take proactive steps to guarantee the safety of media professionals, especially in the light of the intensified threats and heightened risks that journalists face in today’s political environment.
He commended the INEC Chairman for its commitment to maintaining open lines of communication with the media.
“Despite the reservations some people, some organizations, have raised following the Edo state election, INEC’s transparency and open engagement with the media remain noteworthy, and we hope to see the spirit of health in Ondo and beyond.
“We are committed to setting a constructive agenda not only for INEC but for the governments and all stakeholders. The people of Nigeria are looking to us for accurate information, for credible reporting, and for an enduring commitment to democracy,” he said.
Participants at the meeting were Media executives and heads of various media organizations, as well as senior journalists and members of INEC Press Corps.
