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.
Sam Olumekun, the INEC Commissioner overseeing the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), made this announcement during a media briefing in Benin, where he discussed the commission’s preparations for the election.
Represented by Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to INEC National Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Olumekun highlighted that the Electoral Act has introduced several key reforms to enhance the credibility of elections in Nigeria.
“INEC is committed to conducting free, fair, and credible governorship election in Edo State and we rely on your (journalists’) partnership to achieve this goal,” he said.
He emphasized that journalists have a responsibility not just to report events, but also to hold all stakeholders, including INEC, accountable and ensure that the electoral process remains transparent and fair.
He stressed that journalists covering the governorship election in Edo must be thoroughly familiar with the legal framework governing elections.
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He explained that a deep understanding of the Act is essential for media coverage, as it enables journalists to both inform the public and educate them on the legal aspects of the electoral process.
He urged journalists to avoid publishing or broadcasting information that could incite violence, spread hate speech, or promote fake news.
Olumekun while calling on the election to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) across the 192 wards in the state, warned that the PVCs collection is strictly in-person and not by proxy.
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