The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it is ready to conduct credible polls in Edo State in spite of the obvious challenges.
The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, stated this on Monday at a webinar on Edo/Ondo Elections organised by the International Press Centre (IPC) and the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN).
The webinar themed “Edo/Ondo Elections: The imperative of Safety Consciousness and Conflict Sensitivity in Media Coverage and Reportage,” had in attendance over 90 participants.
Speaking at the webinar, Oyekanmi said INEC would do its best to ensure a level playing field for all candidates and parties.
He noted that of the 14 activities listed in the timetable released by the commission in February, 12 have been carried out, adding that the only two left are the deadline for campaigns – 17th September and the election proper slated for 19th September.
“To be sure, INEC is ready for the election. Indeed, we are determined to conduct the election despite the current difficult circumstances.
“We are not interested in the outcome of the elections but the credibility of the process to ensure that materials get to the polling unit on good time.”
The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC boss, said all the logistics needed for the election have been taken care of.
“The non-sensitive materials have been delivered to the 18 local government areas of the state. Our Electoral Officers, their Assistants and Supervisory Presiding Officers have been trained. Officers nominated by the various security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) have also been trained and their actions will be guided by the Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for Security Personnel on Electoral Duty.”
He therefore assured journalists who will cover the election that the experience will be pleasant.
“To that extent, regardless of the not-so-pleasant experiences Journalists might have experienced with security agents during elections in the past, they are rest assured of a good experience this time round,” he said.
He noted that the new Policy on Conducting Elections in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic will apply in addition to INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines.
He disclosed that a portal has been provided on the INEC website for journalists who wish to cover the Edo Governorship election to apply online for accreditation.
On proactive measures taken by the Commission to address security concerns, Oyekanmi said consultations with the ICCES were still on-going.
Also, he said plans have been concluded for all the 14 political parties participating in the election to sign a Peace Accord in the coming days.
He thanked the International Press Centre (IPC) for organising the webinar and for inviting INEC.
He also expressed the Commission’s gratitude to media professionals for the assistance they have offered the commission through constructive criticism.
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Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Director, IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, noted that the Centre chose to organise the webinar with a specific focus on the imperative of safety consciousness and conflict sensitivity in Media Coverage of the two elections because of the prevailing circumstances in the two states.
“In the area of safety we are looking at how journalists could avoid getting in harm’s way in the course of their legitimate duties amid the general concern that the elections could turn violent as pockets of violence are already being recorded here and there particularly in Edo state.
“We are also looking at how journalists could ensure their health safety in view of the fact that the two elections are taking place under the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic.
“In the area of conflict sensitivity, we are looking at how journalists could contribute to the peaceful conduct of the elections by embracing the principles and guidelines of conflict-sensitive journalism,” Arogundade stated.
