The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has expressed readiness for the Edo State gubernatorial elections as it assured journalists of safety during the forthcoming election.
This was made known by Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, while making a presentation at the Webinar on Edo/Ondo Elections, organized by the International Press Centre (IPC) in collaboration with the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN).
Oyekanmi assured that every form of intimidation and harassment of journalists during election coverage in the past, would not be applicable as all officers have been properly trained ahead of the September 19 election.
“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.
“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.”Oyekanmi also disclosed that all the logistics needed for the election has been provided to ensure hitch-free elections and strict adherence to COVID-19 regulations.
“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,” he added.
While delivering her presentation at the webinar, IPC Programme Officer, Mrs. Melody Akinjiyan-Lawal, revealed that 41 journalist have been attacked in the course of executing their duties between January and August.
She therefore urged journalists to ensure they stay safe while carrying out their tasks in the covering of elections in Edo and Ondo states respectively.
“So journalists must report effectively while staying safe in the dangerous electoral terrain we still operate.
“In this regard, it is important for journalists to situate their role and interest in the context of the interest of the two major stakeholders which are the politicians and the people.
“The candidates and their supporters in these elections will not care whose ox is gored for them to actualise their ambition.
“Journalists need to keep abreast of this fact so as not to be victims of any cross fire,” she added.
Earlier, the Executive Director of IPC, Lanre Arogundade explained that the webinar was organized “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,” he added.