Edo, Ondo Guber : INEC Tasks Media Organisations On Early Applications For Coverage

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has urged Media Organisations willing to cover the Edo and Ondo governorship elections to submit their applications before the deadline on the first week of September.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu said in Abuja during a consultative meeting with the Media that only 24 media organisations representing the Print, Radio, Television and online have uploaded their details out of 227 personnel for the election.

He said early submission of applications would enable the Commission to produce the accreditation tags for reporters, camera operators, technical and other support staff in good time for the election.

Professor Yakubu said that the Commission would collaborate with Security agencies to ensure the safety of Media Personnel and equipment as well as INEC officials, observers, service providers, and voters.

He gave an assurance that the Commission would also ensure that accredited journalists are granted unimpeded access to all voting and collation locations.

“I wish to remind you of your obligations as journalists to report factually and accurately about the election and electoral activities in compliance with the ethics of your noble profession. You should continue to be a bulwark against fake news, misinformation, and disinformation.

I urge you to fully comply with the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage. Similarly, you are required to comply with the INEC guidelines for media accreditation available on our website”.

In a remark, the National President ,Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Mr Chris Isiguzo urged journalists to always ensure adequate reportage of electoral activities as they serve as the bridge between the electoral commission and the citizens, ensuring that accurate information was disseminated and the voices of the people are heard.

Mr Isiguzo commended INEC for their efforts in recovering the materials they lost in the INEC office in Benin as a result of flooding.

The NUJ President, however, called for constitutional amendment to give INEC legal backing to conduct local government elections.

Kayode Oyedare, Edited By Grace Namiji