The Independent National Electoral Commission has called on the
Police and other security agencies not to stand in the way of
accredited journalists deployed to cover the general elections.
Mr Festus Okoye, INEC Federal Commissioner in charge of Anambra,
Enugu and Benue states made the call at a Sensitisation Forum for
the Media in Awka on Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the forum was organised
for media practitioners ahead of the 2019 general election.
He said journalists were critical stakeholders in the process
and must be granted unfettered access to voting, coalition and
distribution centres.
According to him, accredited journalists must also be allowed to
inspect all election materials.
The federal commissioner said media managers must be guided by
election rules and relevant materials including the 1999
Constitution as amended, Electoral Act 2010 as amended and INEC
Regulations and Guidelines to effectively perform the roles.
He said that the public had relied on the media for the right
information during elections; hence the need for them to be in tune
with the basic rules guiding the process could not be
overemphasized.
“It is axiomatic that you cannot give what you do not have.
Therefore, to report effectively, media managers must have good
knowledge of the dynamics and nuances of the electoral process.
“A media manager that is blank in terms of information or does
not read but relies on old order to informing the public is a
danger to the electoral process.
“It is a matter of common knowledge that a majority of the
Nigerian people rely on the media for information on the electoral
process, so it is fundamental and in the national interest for the
media to be on top or be reliable,’’ he said.
Okoye said some political parties were also guilty of not
following development in the electoral laws and guidelines adding
that all the stakeholders must ensure the process were free, fair
and credible.
He wondered why politicians were against continuous
accreditation and voting when it was actually suggested and
subsequently endorsed by them during commission’s expanded
stakeholders meeting in Abuja.
He said the resolution became imperative to forestall the 2015
experience where over 2 million accredited voters were not able to
cast their votes due to the clumsiness of the process.
In his lecture titled “INEC and 2015 General Election’’, Mr
Victor Aluko said elections were also media events, adding that
journalists who wished to cover the election must endeavour to be
accredited.
Aluko, Deputy Director, Voter Education at INEC said since the
February 16 and March 2, 2019 general elections were fast
approaching, the media should intensify citizen’s awareness
campaign, adding that it was a civic responsibility of citizens of
voting age to participate in the process.
He said this would enable the largest possible numbers to
participate in the process.
Aluko also said the task was more now with the astronomical
increase in the number of registered political parties
participating and fielding candidates.
He reiterated that phone use at the polling cubicle remains
highly prohibited and urged the media to highlight the rule
including the restriction of non- accredited persons during
elections.
(NAN)