Princess-Ekwi Ajide
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is collaborating with the European Union to raise capacity of journalists ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Addressing participants at the two day capacity workshop on the Commission’s processes, innovations, and preparations for the 2023 general election and critical issues in the electoral Act 2023 for press corps members, the Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, warned against use of the media for campaign of calumny.
Professor Yakubu, who was represented by the National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Barrister Festus Okoye, said, preparations for the conduct of the 2023 general election, has reached an advanced and critical stage and therefore, imperative that the media have a good knowledge and understanding of the workings and operations of the Commission.
According to him, it is necessary for an informed and balanced coverage of the commission’s activities and the dissemination of information to the general public, avail stakeholders timely and relevant information pertaining to the electoral process; carry out voter education and public enlightenment and mobilize the electorate to participate in the electoral process through awakening in them the consciousness of taking ownership of the political process.
Earlier in his welcome address, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos State, Mr. Segun Agbaje, said modern societies cannot be imagined without mass communication since the mass media, as the fourth estate, plays a noble role of supplementing the three branches of democratic govemment by providing checks and balances.
On his part, the team leader of the EU implementing body, DAI, Rudolf Elbing, said they are honored to be leading implementation of the 1st Component of European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EUSDGN)-which aims to support INEC in its endeavours to improve the quality of electoral administration in the country, and ultimately, foster a functioning, pluralistic, inclusive, participatory, and representative democracy in Nigeria.
He noted that the collaboration will dwell mostly on reducing fake news, hate speech and misinformation especially as INEC has demonstrated its strong commitment to transparency, and ensuring that the public is well informed about INEC’s stewardship of the electoral process.
The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, who gave the aims and objectives of the workshop, said the essence is to ensure that voters understanding of the election processes are enhanced through reportage while the Chairman INEC Press Corps, Mr. Segun Ojumu, expressed joy that the worksop was convened as according to him, it is apt because writing the history of the 2023 general election will be challenging as it would explore various aspects of INEC’s journey to ensuring a flawless general election.
