….. Task Stakeholders on Free, Fair, Credible Elections
By Ijeoma Umeh
Benin City – Ahead of the September 2024 Gubernatorial Election in Edo state, stakeholders have identified issues which continue to affect the electoral process in Nigeria and have challenged the media on the need to interrogate the processes through balanced and citizen-centred reportage.
This was the crux of discussions at a 2-day Interface on Credible Governorship Election in Edo State organized by the International Press Centre(IPC) held on July 5 -6, 2024 at the Edo Heritage Hotel and Suites, Benin City.
The dialogue, which is facilitated by the EU-Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria(EU-SDGN ll) is under Component 4: Support to Media and had in attendance editors, reporters and media influencers from various print, electronic and new media.
In his welcome address, Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director, IPC stated that the dialogue is for both male and female reporters who are currently on assignment to cover the electoral processes in the state and who shall be on electoral duty on election day in September 2024.
He noted that the initiatives have the common objective of ensuring that critical stakeholders in the electoral process, particularly the election management body, INEC, the law enforcement and security agencies, national orientation agency, the civil society groups, the media, the citizens and others effectively perform their expected roles to make the governorship election inclusive, free, fair and peaceful.
Mr Arogundade further added that the forum should afford stakeholders the opportunity to inform on the state of their preparedness for the polls so that such information can be subjected to scrutiny.
“The message from IPC is that our conduct must be guided by the laws and codes governing elections in Nigeria, while our loyalty must be to the constitution and the citizens. Put in another way, it is the public interest that should constitute our guiding principle and not any other interest.” Arogundade stated.
He also reminded stakeholders that, particularly representatives of the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner and the Commissioner of Police for Edo State that the INEC and the Police are among institutions that the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage expect to ensure a conducive environment for the media and journalists to carry out their duties during electoral processes.
Citing excerpts from the Code in relation to the responsibilities of law enforcement and security agencies to the safety of journalists on election duties, Arogundade stated:
“The government and its agencies shall ensure the safety of journalists during electoral processes, including refraining from assault or intimidation in any manner whatsoever;
The government and its relevant agencies shall ensure prompt investigation and prosecution of any individual or group accused of assault or intimidation against the media and journalists during electoral processes; shall channel any complaint over the conduct of journalists during electoral processes to regulatory or legal institutions and refrain from extra-judicial actions or other forms of self-help; shall ensure the free movement of journalists in any part of the country during electoral processes and refrain from any act that shall inhibit such; shall abide by institutional, regulatory and legal frameworks requiring equitable access to state media by parties and candidates contesting elections.
In the case of INEC, Arogundade enumerated the statement of broad principles to include: That the Electoral Commission(INEC) and State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) in each of the 36 states of the federation shall proactively provide the media and journalists with information on its activities to aid the factual and credible reporting of electoral process; provide information and materials to the media to enable them carry out accurate and effective civic and voters education, support capacity building for journalists in election reporting, make electoral information freely available to the media to enhance factual and credible reporting of electoral processes, among other guidelines.
Resource persons in attendance at the dialogue included Taiwo Obey, Executive Director, Journalism Clinic, Rev.Nimmo Bassey, renowned environmental and human rights activist, and Stella Nwawfia, Programme Manager, IPC.
Festus Alenkhe and Adesuwa Ehimuan, Chairman of NUJ, Edo State Council and Chairperson of NAWOJ Edo State Chapter respectively read their goodwill messages with representatives of INEC, Police, Civil Defence and other groups.
Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/ruralurb/public_html/wp-content/themes/goodnews5/framework/functions/posts_share.php on line 66
Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /home/ruralurb/public_html/wp-content/themes/goodnews5/framework/functions/posts_share.php on line 82