The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is fully prepared for the upcoming September 21 governorship election in Edo State, which will see candidates from 16 political parties vying for the position.
This announcement was made by Sam Olumekun, the chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, IVEC, and a national commissioner of INEC.
Speaking at a media engagement in Benin on Friday, August 23, Olumekun’s message was delivered through Rotimi Oyekanmi, the chief press secretary to the INEC chairman.
He said: “INEC is committed to conducting free, fair, and credible governorship election in Edo State. We rely on your (journalists’) partnership to achieve this goal. Your role is not only to report events, but also to hold all stakeholders, including INEC, accountable, and ensure that the electoral process remains transparent and unbiased.
“As we move forward, let us remember the importance of accuracy, fairness, and responsibility in our coverage. Together, we can uphold the democratic principles that are fundamental to our nation’s progress and prosperity.
“Thank you for your dedication to ethical journalism and commitment to serving the public interest. Let us work hand in hand to make the Edo State governorship election a shining example of democracy in action. I look forward to our continued collaboration.”
The chairman of IVEC in INEC also stated that in an era of misinformation and fake news, journalists’ role as gatekeepers of factual information was critical.
He said: “It is through your (journalists’) dedication to truth and accuracy that voters are protected from misleading narratives that could compromise the integrity of the elections.
“We commenced distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) on August 22, 2024, at all the 192 wards across Edo State. The collection is strictly in person and not by proxy. The exercise will go on till September 8, 2024, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, including the weekends.
“We will distribute at the ward level till August 26, 2024, after that, the collection will continue in our 18 Local Government Area offices across Edo State from August 28, 2024, to September 8, 2024.”
(allnews.ng)
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