INEC assures media of safety, access during Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa election

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety of journalists and granting them unimpeded access during the upcoming Governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, conveyed this assurance during a quarterly consultative meeting with media representatives. This commitment is a crucial aspect of INEC’s ongoing initiatives to enhance collaboration with the media and facilitate transparent coverage of the electoral process.

He said, “Election is a multi-stakeholder activity. In discharging our responsibilities, we will continue to engage with all stakeholders. One of such engagements is with the security agencies. In previous elections, media organisations have expressed concern about the safety of journalists, technical staff and protection of the equipment you deploy on Election Day.

Prof. Yakubu emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of journalists, technical staff, and the protection of their equipment deployed on Election Day. He also acknowledged the media’s role in urging the Commission to intercede with security agencies to provide unimpeded access to polling and collation locations.

He added “You have on several occasions urged the Commission to intercede with the security agencies to grant you unimpeded access to polling and collation locations. I want to reassure you that we will continue to do so as we engage with the security agencies both at the national level and in the three States.”

The INEC Chairman highlighted that the upcoming Governorship elections are critical to the Commission, and preparations are underway to ensure their success. In return for this commitment, he welcomed comments and observations from the media, emphasizing the collaborative effort to enhance the electoral process in Nigeria.

In addition to ensuring journalists’ safety and access, Prof. Yakubu reminded media organizations to adhere strictly to the ethics of their profession, encouraging accurate reporting and vigilance against fake news. He reiterated that INEC believes in greater openness and consistent engagement with stakeholders as the most effective strategy against fake news.

“At the same time, I wish to remind all media organisations to strictly adhere to the ethics of your profession. We welcome reports on the election. At the same time, you should form a bulwark against fake news. For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission does not believe in censorship.

We have said repeatedly that the best antidote to fake news is greater openness and regular and consistent engagement with stakeholders. We will continue to work together in this regard.

“Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi Governorship elections are critical to the Commission. At this meeting, we will fully brief you about our level of preparations. In return, we will appreciate your comments and observations.

You may recall that our last meeting focused on the review of the last General Election as part of a wider consultation with stakeholders. The review engagements have been concluded. The report is being finalised. So too is the main report on the 2023 General Election. As soon as they are published, the Commission will, as usual, share the reports with Nigerians. We believe that the two documents will contribute to the ongoing conversation towards improving the future conduct of elections in Nigeria.

Similarly, you may recall that at our last meeting, we promised to share with you our plans and preparations for the off-cycle Governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States scheduled for Saturday 11th November 2023. I am glad to note that many of you here today are either directly involved in the coverage of the election or deploying teams of journalists to the three States.

” In fact, our updated statistics show that 94 media organisations, deploying 1,255 personnel, have been accredited for the elections. In the next few days, the accredited media organisations will be notified of the date for the collection of the identity cards for their officials.

“About two weeks ago, the Commission conducted a mock accreditation involving actual voters in designated polling units in the three States. By doing so, we tested the efficacy of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for both biometric authentication of voters and the upload of result to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

“Some of you observed the mock accreditation exercise and viewed the results on the IReV portal. We have received no adverse report so far. By this, we are encouraged that the test was successful and we look forward to improved performance of the BVAS in voter accreditation and result upload in the forthcoming Governorship elections and beyond.

“At the same time, I wish to remind all media organisations to strictly adhere to the ethics of your profession. We welcome reports on the election. At the same time, you should form a bulwark against fake news. For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission does not believe in censorship. We have said repeatedly that the best antidote to fake news is greater openness and regular and consistent engagement with stakeholders. We will continue to work together in this regard

“Exactly three months ago on Wednesday 26th July 2023, we held our third quarterly consultative meeting for the year 2023. Today, I have the pleasure to welcome you to our fourth and last quarterly meeting for this year. We are proud of our close collaboration with the media. With 83 media organisations (print, broadcast and online) represented by 130 journalists, the INEC Press Corps is one of the most diverse and vibrant in Nigeria. This close partnership will be sustained and strengthened.”
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