INEC Tasks Media Organisations On Early Applications For Accreditation

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has urged Media organizations that want to cover the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State to submit applications for accreditation along with the required documents.

INEC Chairman Professor Mahmoud Yakubu stated this in Abuja during a Consultative meeting with Media Executives.

Profesoor Yakubu said early submission of applications and documents would enable the Commission to produce and deliver identity cards for journalists covering the election in good time.

He also explained that, the Commission would not entertain requests outside the deadline for the receipt of applications from interested media organizations or process requests that do not meet the criteria for accreditation.

The INEC boss also appealed to the Media to assist the commission in mobilizing prospective registrants for the exercise, particularly on the need to register early and not wait until the deadline approaches when the registration centres would be inundated by eleventh hour registrants.

‘’ The Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the two States will enable eligible citizens who are not registered voters to do so. Similarly, registered voters also have the opportunity to transfer their registration from other States of the Federation to Edo and Ondo States or from one location to another within the States. Lost or damaged voters’ cards will be replaced during the exercise.’’

In a remark, the President Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Mr Chris Isiguzo who was represented by the NUJ National Secretary, Mr Achike Chude commended INEC for always carrying stakeholders along in its activities and urged the Commission to ensure adequate preparation before the election.

He also urged journalists to ensure adequate reportage of the electoral processes in the interest of the public.

Kayode Oyedare, Edited By Grace Namiji