The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education Barrister Festus Okoye, has declared that the passage of the Electoral Offences Commission/Tribunal Bill into Law by the National Assembly, is the pre-requisite for attainment of virile and efficient democracy in the country.
In a related development, INEC has condemned State Governments that deny oposition parties space to hold rallies for campaigns .
Barrister Okoye made the declaration in abakaliki the Ebonyi State capital on Tuesday while delivering a Lecture at a One Day Capacity Building Workshop organized in collaboration with INEC for Journalists in the south-east geo- political zone.
The Workshop has the theme “Conflict Sensitive Reporting and 2023 General Election ‘
The INEC National Commissioner cautions journalists to avoid the breaking news syndrome which are not properly verified or processed.
” The media must be circumspect in casting Headlines and the thirst for sensational headlines, avoid deliberate falsehood aimed at drawing traffic to sites”
” State apparatus shall not be employed to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate at any election,”,
The INEC National Commissioner said that the Commission was partnering with EFCC and ICPC to ensure that those involved in vote buying were prosecuted.
“Unless we have such a Commission, people will continue to recycle Electoral offences, INEC does not have capacity/personnel to prosecute electoral offenders’
Barrister Okoye assured that the Commission must continue to partner with the media by availing it with all relevant facts that need to be in public domain.
‘Reporting elections needs to be handled with an eye on conflict sensibility, national peace and cohesion”
“Reporting elections requires special skills and understanding of the centrality of election to Nigeria survival as a federal dmocracy”
“The media must hold a balance between all the contending parties and candidates.
He restated that those in Government must strive and hold a balance interms of all contending parties.
” Political parties denied campaigns in states should go to court to test the efficacy of the law”
Earlier in a speech, the National President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists Comrade Chris Isiguzo, represented by the National Secretary Mr Shuaibu Liman, commended INEC for partnering with media practictioners in the electoral process
Comrade Isiguzo urged government officials at all levels to be honest, responsible, transparent, efficient in administration and service delivery.
According to the NUJ President , ” stakeholders must work towards minimizing incidence of attacks on Journalists and destruction of their equipments during election times.
” For us as Media Professionals, we see it as cardinal objective to promote democracy and development, we shall continue to work with INEC for enhancement of democracy”
Welcoming participants at the event, the Ebonyi State Chairman of NUJ Comrade Tony Nwizi , decried the ugly menace faced by journalists while covering elections where many lost their lives .
The workshop had Lecture presentations by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on various topics ranging from “Electoral Act 2022 and 2023 General election,
The workshop had in attendance Ebonyi New INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Mrs Onyeka Pauline Ugochi, State Administrative Secretary Mr Clement Oha, the Chairman of NUJ Ebonyi State Council Mr Tony Nwizi, members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, officials from INEC among others
