Pay attention to the Electoral, Police and Public Order Acts during campaigns – INEC
….. Set to release Final List of candidates on 4th October 2022.
Oru Leonard
The Independent National Electoral Chairman (INEC), Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has urged political parties to critically study and pay attention to the provisions of the Constitution, the Electoral Act, the Police Act and the Public Order Act for the proper and peaceful conduct of political campaigns, rallies and processions.
This is just as he cautioned all the 18 registered political parties to ensure that their campaign or slogan is devoid of abusive language directly or indirectly likely to injure religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional feelings.
INEC Chairman who was represented by the National Commissioner and Chair, Information and Voter Education Committee, Barr Festus Okoye, stated this in Lagos on Monday at a Two-Day Capacity Building Workshop on the Commission’s processes, innovations, and preparations for the 2023 General Election and critical issues in the Electoral Act, 2022 and the Commission’s processes, innovations, and preparations for the 2023 General Election, for members of the INEC Press Corps.
While enumerating the Commission’s efforts in adhering to set timelines in carrying out its activities, Okoye noted that the Commission has entered the critical phase in the electoral process.
“As of today, the Commission has undertaken eight out of the 14 items on the Calendar and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election. On 20th September 2022, the Commission released the Final List of Candidates standing nominated for National Elections (Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates, Senatorial and House of Representative Candidates).
“On 4th October 2022, the Commission will release the Final List of candidates standing nominated in relation to State Elections (Governorship, Deputy Governorship and State Assemblies). On 28th September 2022 Presidential and National Assembly campaigns will start while that of Governorship and State Assembly candidates will start on 12th October 2022”, he said.
Prof Yakubu said the Commission will continue to use technology to improve and enhance the credibility of elections in Nigeria, adding that INEC’s goal is to deliver electoral justice where every Nigerian will experience electoral fulfilment.
He advised the media against using showing bias to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate at any election.
“The INEC Press Corp is an indispensable partner in the electoral process and they provide a veritable platform and pathway for the dissemination of electoral information to the Nigerian public. The Commission will continue to collaborate with the Press Corp in providing the requisite information that enables them to engage the electoral process and educate citizens to make informed choices”, he added.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Lagos State, Mr. Segun Agbaje, who spoke earlier, told the media to avoid sensational or divisive approaches in their coverage of political issues and dwell more voters education, checkmating of fake news, collaborate with INEC and other stakeholders to checkmate vote buying; give a level playing ground to all parties/candidates by allocating equal media time and coverage; and help to reduce electoral violence to the barest minimum.
In his goodwill message, the Team Leader, DAI, Mr. Rudolf Elbling said the Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI), working with INEC under the European Union Funded Programme “Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria” (EU-SDGN), organized the workshop for the Media to help address the issues of disinformation, misinformation and fake news, adding that the Media are important partners towards a credible election in Nigeria.
Also speaking, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman said INEC has over the years, deliberately nurtured a good working relationship with the media, based on mutual respect and the understanding that the sustenance and survival of democracy and the electoral process is a collective task. While the Commission is saddled with enormous responsibilities, including the delivery of free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections, the media, on the other hand, also has a duty to play its watchdog role responsibly and continuously act as an agent for positive change.
He enumerated the envisaged outcomes of the workshop to include, but are not limited to:
• Participants’ better understanding of the Commission’s processes and procedures, policies, and innovations.
• Objective reportage on the Commission’s preparations for the 2023 General Election achieved
• Publication/airing of multiple news stories, features, analyses, opinion articles, documentaries and editorials across several media platforms is facilitated
• Promotion of Voter Education narratives for the 2023 General Election
• Information about INEC’s efforts to engender inclusivity in the electoral process is amplified
• Voters’ understanding of the electoral processes is enhanced
• INEC’s corporate image and reputation is improved
He noted that he workshop’s main objective is to broaden the participants’ knowledge about the Commission’s processes and procedures, innovations, critical aspects of the new Electoral Act 2022 and preparations for the 2023 General Election.
“Members of the Press Corps will have the opportunity to interrogate all presentations in what promises to be a series of robust interactions and convergence of ideas. Ultimately, the outcome will equip them with the comprehension that they need to report more accurately and robustly on the Commission’s Strategic Plan 2022 – 2026, the Election Project Plan, Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections (2022) and adequately propagate its voter education strategy for the 2023 polls, Rotimi concluded.
