INEC urges Media to support in mobilizing Citizens for CVR Exercise in Edo, Ondo

Oru Leonard 

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has called on the Media Organizations to the Commission in educating members of the public ahead of the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), exercise in Edo and Ondo States respectively.

The INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the call in Abuja on Wednesday during the second quarterly consultative meeting held with the media executives.

He noted that media support helps in educating the masses in order to come out to register for the election, while those for voters card collection proceed for their card collections.

“The Commission is appealing to the media to join us in mobilizing prospective registrants for the exercise, particularly on the need to register early and not wait until the deadline approaches when the registration centres will be inundated by eleventh hour registrants.

“Additionally, the Commission will also make available the uncollected permanent voters’ cards (PVCs) for collection during the CVR. In the coming days, the list of uncollected PVCs will be published in our offices in the two states and simultaneously uploaded to our website. We believe that doing so will make it easier for voters to know the availability of the cards and identify the locations to collect them”, he explained.

Professor Yakubu cautioned that no PVCs will be collected by proxy, and that registered voters should come in person to collect their cards. “Again, we seek the support of the media in encouraging voters to locate and pick up their PVCs as was done in the past”.

He told the media organizations to submit their applications for accreditation to report on the election in earnest along with the required documentation for individual journalists and support staff, noting that doing so will enable the commission to produce and deliver the identity cards for journalists covering the election in good time.

Prof. Yakubu further warned that the Commission will not entertain any requests outside the deadline for the receipt of applications from interested media organisations or process requests that do not meet the criteria for accreditation.

Prof. Yakubu also announced the existence of vacancies in National and State Assemblies caused by either the death or resignation of Members involving three State Assembly constituencies and one Federal Constituency in four States across the country.

“As soon as preparations are concluded, the Commission will announce the dates for bye-elections in Khana 2 State Constituency of Rivers State, the Bagwai/Shanono State constituency of Kano State, the Zaria Kewaye State Constituency of Kaduna State and the Garki/Babura Federal Constituency of Jigawa State”, Prof Yakubu concluded.

Responding, the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Chris Isiguzo represented by the National Secretary of the NUJ, Achike Chude commended the Commission for its transparency and openness in engaging with the media.

He said, “The media’s unwavering commitment to getting things right in the country is ironclad.

“There is no disputation, no hesitancy about that,” he stated.

“With regards to the forthcoming elections, I want to assure the INEC Chairman and the citizens of this great country that the media will not be found wanting. We will amplify your voice. Just as we have done previously, we will create the right environment, the right atmosphere to ensure our people will be motivated enough to come out to exercise their franchise”, he stated.

The NUJ President emphasized that while the media has been given significant responsibility, it is equally important for INEC to do its part and make every effort to get it right.