- INEC affirms readiness for Edo governorship election, emphasizes partnership with journalists for transparent and credible process
- INEC official urges journalists to avoid spreading information that could incite violence, promote hate speech, or disseminate fake news
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has affirmed its readiness to conduct a free, fair, and credible governorship election in Edo State on September 21. This assurance was given by Sam Olumekun, the INEC Commissioner in charge of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), during a media engagement in Benin.
Represented by Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to INEC National Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Olumekun highlighted that the Electoral Act has introduced significant reforms to improve the credibility of elections in Nigeria. He emphasized the importance of partnership with journalists to achieve the goal of a transparent election.
Olumekun also noted that journalists play a critical role in reporting events and holding all stakeholders, including INEC, accountable to ensure that the electoral process remains transparent and unbiased. He stressed the importance of journalists being well-versed in the legal framework governing elections to inform and educate the public accurately.
Additionally, Olumekun urged journalists to avoid spreading information that could incite violence, promote hate speech, or disseminate fake news. He also called on voters in Edo State to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from the 192 wards, reminding them that PVC collection must be done in person and not by proxy.