EDO GOVERNORSHIP POLLS: You have enough time for accreditation: Yakubu tells Media Executives 

…. Says PR code has been added to curb fake tags

Oru Leonard 

The Chairman Independent National Electoral Committee (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has called on Journalists and other media practitioners to take advantage of the more than one month remaining for the accreditation of those who want to cover the election the Edo State Governorship election to register and get accreditation before the date elapsed on September 5, 2014.

Yakubu made the call during an interaction with Media Executives and Journalists in the on-going stakeholders meeting in INEC headquarters in Abuja.

He therefore admonished members of the fourth estate of the realm to stick to ethics as those who promote, protect and defend democracy through dispassionate reporting.

He noted that the importance of engaging with the media, especially in the context of elections, cannot be overemphasized.

“The media serves as the bridge between the electoral commission and the citizens, ensuring that accurate information is disseminated, electoral processes are transparent, and the voices of the people are heard. This synergy between INEC and the media is crucial as we approach the off-season gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo states.

“This meeting today is particularly important because the commission will avail us with further updates on its preparations for these critical elections. We are also excited to receive the news that the commission has recovered from the temporary set back experience in Edo State following the rains.

“I also want to appeal to journalists interested in being part of the election by way of coverage to without further delay upload their details on the portal in order to ensure that accreditation tags are produced in good time for the election.

“The transparency and efficiency with which elections are conducted directly influence the public’s confidence in our democratic processes. I am confident that INEC is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that these elections are free, fair, and credible.

“The role of the media in this process is indispensable. As watchdogs of society, we have the duty to report accurately and objectively, to educate the electorate, and to provide a platform for diverse voices and opinions. Our collaboration with INEC is essential in achieving these goals.

“We also want to appeal to the security agencies to equally extend the necessary support and partnership with the media in order to check incessant harassments and intimidation of journalists on election duties”, INEC Boss said.

Speaking about the calls for INEC to be conducting local government elections, the NUJ President had this to say: “I would also like to take this opportunity to weigh in on a significant recent development – the Supreme Court judgment which granted full autonomy to local government administrations.

“This landmark ruling is a major stride towards strengthening our democracy at the grassroots level. Local governments are the closest tier of government to the people, and their autonomy is crucial for effective governance and development.

“However, for this autonomy to be truly conclusive and impactful, there is a need for constitutional amendments by the National Assembly. Specifically, the relevant sections of the constitution should be amended to empower INEC to conduct elections for local governments across the country.

“Currently, INEC enjoys constitutional authority to conduct national and sub-national elections. Extending this authority to include the third tier of government will ensure uniformity, credibility, and efficiency in the electoral process.

“In the light of this, the proposal to create an Independent Local Government Electoral Commission is, in my view, unnecessary. Establishing a separate body for local government elections could lead to redundancy, increased bureaucracy, and potential conflicts of interest. Instead, leveraging INEC’s established framework, experience, and resources would be a more efficient and effective approach to managing local government elections.”