Edo 2024: INEC restates media role in credible elections

By Jude Opara

The Media has been urged to continuously shape democracy and uphold electoral integrity.
The National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, IVEC, Sam Olumekun, made this call at an engagement with journalists yesterday in Benin, Edo state.
He said the engagement was to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process in the Sept. 21 governorship election in Edo.
According to Olumekun, who was represented by Chief Press Secretary, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, the media’s role in shaping Nigeria’s democracy, particularly during elections, is crucial.
Olumekun highlighted the media’s responsibilities, which included educating voters, facilitating informed choices, and ensuring transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
He also stressed the importance of factual information in combating misinformation and fake news.
He appealed to the media to mobilize citizens to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), which were ready for collection at 192 wards across the state.
He noted that the collection was strictly in person and not by proxy.
Olumekun emphasized the need for journalists to understand the legal framework governing elections, particularly the Electoral Act 2022.
He urged them to adhere to the code of conduct for election coverage, which emphasised fairness, balance, and impartiality in reporting events.
He reiterated the responsibilities of accredited journalists to include the display of identification tags, abide by all laws and INEC regulations, and refrain from interfering with polling processes.
Olumekun expressed INEC’s readiness to conduct free, fair, and credible elections in the state and relied on the media’s partnership to achieve this goal.
He urged journalists to hold all stakeholders accountable and ensure transparency and unbiased reportage.
In his welcome address, the Edo Resident Electoral Commissioner, Onuoha Anugbum, represented by the Administrative Secretary, Edo, Emmanuel Ogbodu, said the forum was to place stakeholders on the same level ahead of Sept.
In his remarks, the Edo Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Festus Alenkhe, commended INEC for the media engagement.
Alenkhe said the forum would spur journalists in the state to do their job creditably well.
He urged journalists not to compromise standards in their reportage, regardless of anyone’s behaviour, including INEC officials, whether positive or negative.