Off-cycle election: Adhere to Electoral Act for peaceful election, INEC tells political parties
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu has urged participating political parties for the off-cycle governorship elections to critically study the provisions of the constitution, electoral Act, for proper and peaceful conduct of the election.
Prof Yakubu, who disclosed on monday at a Two days media workshop for INEC press corp (IPCs), held at Akwanga Nasarawa State, cautioned against political parties campaign slogans tainting, with abusive language directly or indirectly likely.
Speaking on theme: ‘Ethical, Safety Practices and Critical Issues Relating to the Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa Governorship Elections’, Prof Yakubu explained that “Abusive, intemperate, slanderous, or base language or innuendoes designed or likely to provoke violent reactions or emotions shall not be employed or used in political campaigns.
He however, reminded the media of their constitutional obligations, calling on both the state media apparatus and privately owned media not to take advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate at any election.
He said, “In other words, equal coverage and visibility shall be allotted to all political parties by all public print and electronic media organisations. The same applies in equal measure to privately owned media organizations subject to payment of appropriate fees.
The INEC chairman, who was represented by the National Commissioner and Chair of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun said the aim of the workshop is to deepen the participants’ knowledge of the Commission’s processes and procedures, which will go a long way in ensuring factual, balanced, and informed coverage of the Commission’s activities.
According to him, “As you may be aware, the Commission on Thursday 12th October 2023 presented the soft copies of a combined total of 5,409,438 registered voters for the Baylesa, Imo and kogi Governorship elections to Chairmen of political parties in the states.
“The Commission also successfully carried out the Mock Accreditation of Voters in selected Polling Units across Senatorial zones in the three states on Saturday, 14th October 2023. Some of you accompanied the Hon. Chairman to witness this exercise in Kogi state.
“For the three governorship elections scheduled for 11th November, the Commission will deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to authenticate the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) and upload polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) seamlessly on election day.
On his part, National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Prof Kunle Ajayi, emphasized that the media space is one of the primary mechanisms for such electioneering dynamics.
He said, “The coverage and reporting of electoral processes in Nigeria are particularly delicate, considering the uniqueness and sensitivity of election management generally. This is because elections, particularly so in Nigeria, are perceived as very high-stakes game, so much so that some people negatively tag it as a “do or die affair”.
“Hence, while reporting on election matters, members of the 4th Estate of the Realm must address these issues with a deep sense of professionalism, journalistic ethics, and high standards.
“I would like at this juncture, to draw the attention of all media representatives here present today to a crucial issue that poses a serious threat to the election process in Nigeria, that is the issue of fake news.
He further disclosed that the commission’s distasteful experience with fake news in the 2023 General Elections has shown that, if not nipped in the bud, fake news can become the bane of election management in Nigeria.
According to him, “The alarming prevalence of misinformation, ‘fake news’, hate speech, and the weaponization of disinformation has become very worrisome to the Commission.
“Disinformation is used to provoke religious, political, and tribal sentiments in an already polarized society such as ours, especially, during election season, which is often the leading cause of electoral violence and uprisings.
“Election-related disinformation has become a major strategy used by nefarious individuals and groups in the political space to manipulate the general public to their advantage, regardless of the consequential effect such propaganda may have on the peace and stability of the electoral process and the country at large.
In his remarks, Chairman INEC Press Corps, Mr. Segun Ojumu, commended the INEC Chairman Prof Yakubu, and the entire INEC management team for their support towards the workshop.
He said, the workshop will significantly contribute to the professionalism and effectiveness of the INEC Press Corps. By improving their skills in ethical reporting and enhancing their safety awareness, the workshop will contribute to the overall integrity and fairness of the electoral process.
“As you are aware, the upcoming gubernatorial elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa scheduled for November 11th hold significant importance for INEC and the nation as a whole.
” Accurate and unbiased reporting is vital to ensure transparency, public trust, and the credibility of the electoral process. Therefore, it is essential that members of the INEC Press Corps are adequately equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to fulfil their roles effectively”.
In his goodwill message, the Team Lead of the Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) in Nigeria, Rudolf Elbling, said the media is essential to democratic elections and a watchdog for the transparency of the process.
Elbling, however admonished journalist to maintain a high level of professionalism, accuracy, and impartiality in their coverage.
“Nigerian journalists are well trained professionals, but it is always worthwhile to come back to certain principles which are crucial, to a credible and peaceful election process.
Such as, Editorial Independence; Facts Checking; Impartiality; Keep Proper Tone in Reporting and Guard against Hate Speech, he said.
