By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, last Tuesday in Awka announced that it is ready for the November 8 Gubernatorial Election in Anambra State.
The announcement was made by the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Sam Olumekun, during a forum for media executives, producers, and on-air-personalities held in Awka, Anambra State.
Olumekun, who was represented by Deputy Director of Publicity, Mr. Wilfred Ifogah, explained that the outcome of the continuous voters registration exercise held recently in the state indicated that Anambra presently had 2.82 million voters.
According to him, materials for the election were readily available, while training, sensitisation, and stakeholders’ engagements continued towards ensuring that the exercise would be credible and hitch-free.
He therefore sought support from the media practitioners in reporting the outcome of the election objectively by refraining from spreading fake news and unverified information, which, he believed, was the biggest threat to electoral integrity.
Also speaking, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (INEC), Dr Queen Elizabeth Agwu, said the Commission had enjoyed co-operation with the media in the state since she took over.
Agwu, who said that media was an indispensable partner in delivering accurate and balanced information to the public, urged them to continue in educating the citizens on their roles in democracy by voting according to their conscience, and refraining from disseminating misinformation.
Earlier speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, represented by the Secretary, Dr Okechukwu Onuegbu, applauded INEC for convening the forum and reiterated the NUJ’s commitment to supporting free and fair elections.
He however stressed the need for greater collaboration, especially during election periods through provision of accessible communication channels or active phone lines desk officers and journalists could contact easily for verifications.
