The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has solicited the support of the media on ways to improve the nation’s elections and the electoral process.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu gave the indication at the 2023 General Election review with media executives, held at the INEC Headquarters, Abuja.
Yakubu said that the Commission will continue to welcome suggestions from the media, that will improve the future conduct of elections in Nigeria.
“Beyond reporting on our activities, we are also convinced that as citizens you should be part of the discussion for the overall improvement of our electoral process based on your field observations”, he said.
He explained that the Commission would like to hear observation and suggestions of the media on the processes and procedure of the elections, especially from their practical experience of reporting or analysing the election.
According to the INEC Chairman, the Agenda and areas for evaluation at the meeting include Accreditation of media organisations, Access for journalists to voting and collation locations on Election Day, Conduct of pre-election activities by the Commission: Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), and voter access to polling units .
Other areas are:Logistics for the movement of personnel and materials, Recruitment and training of ad-hoc staff, Conduct of regular and ad hoc officials during the election, Security during the election, The role of technology in voter accreditation and result management; as well as any other suggestions that will improve the conduct of future elections
He also hinted that the Commission would share with the media executives, it’s plans for pending bye-elections and preparations for the off-cycle Governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States scheduled to hold on Saturday 11th November 2023.
The meeting held with media executives is in continuation of the Commission’s review of the 2023 General election and it is the sixth in the series of the meetings held by the Commission in the last three weeks.
For his part, President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Comrade Chris Isiguzo, in his remarks noted that ” the 2023 General Election was a defining moment in history, where the collective voice of the people resonated through the ballot box.
“As the fourth estate of the realm, we, the media, played a crucial role in upholding the pillars of democracy – transparency, accountability, and the right to information”, he said.
He highlighted the four key areas that have shaped the electoral process to include, Accreditation of Media Organizations and Personnel, Coverage of the Election by Mainstream, Social, and Online Media, Public Enlightenment and Voter Education and Access to Media; Reportage; Hate Speech; and Fake News.
Acknowledging that the review meeting was an invaluable opportunity for introspection and improvement, the NUJ President urged the media executives to contribute constructively.
