The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has described the Nigerian media as one of the major stakeholders for the success of electoral processes in the country.
Prof, Yakubu who stated this at a consultative meeting with media executives in Abuja, the nation’s capital disclosed that the commission has lined up series of electoral process and activities especially the introduction of an online voter registration exercise that requires much citizen awareness.
He noted that the commission has rolled out a timetable for the governorship election in Anambra state slated for November 16th 2021, Ekiti state governorship election billed for 18th of June 2022 and Osun state governorship election scheduled for 16th July 2022 adding that the voter registration exercise which would start on 28th of June this year would last for one year.
“We are committed to ensuring that all the scheduled elections go as planned,” he said.
The INEC Chairman urged the media to assist in sensitizing the citizens to participate actively in the processes.
“The media remains one of our strongholds in the success of every election and we require them much especially now that we are coming up with new systems.”
Responding, the chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists NUJ, Mr Chris Isiguzo promised that the media will continue to contribute in ensuring that the citizens would be properly educated in the electoral processes and commended the measures taken by the commission for the promotion of democracy in the country.
The meeting with the media executives attracted questions, suggestions and observations on the way forward for the commission to conduct elections that would be widely accepted in the country and the international community.
PIAK
