INEC Seeks Media Support For Credible Election In Bayelsa State

Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has solicited the support of the media ahead of the off-cycle governorship election in Bayelsa state on Nov. 11.

Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee at INEC, Mr Sam Olumekun made the appeal on Thursday at a forum with media executives in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital ahead of the polls.

Olumekun, who is also a National Commissioner at INEC, said the commission regarded the media as a strategic partner in the democratic process, hence the collaboration to deliver a transparent and credible governorship election.

He said that the meeting was convened to update the media with preparations so far made and ensure that the media was familiar with the election day processes and procedures.

“The media remain one of our critical stakeholders, such that we have over 100 members of INEC Press Corps from various media organisations in the country who cover the commission’s activities regularly.

“The commission also frequently consults the media ahead of formulation of policies and during implementation of activities to keep them abreast of goings on in the electoral system and the commission,” Olumekun said.

He assured that the commission was ready for the polls as the non-sensitive materials were already on ground while the sensitive materials had been procured awaiting dispatch.

Speaking earlier, Mr Obo Efanga, Resident Electoral Commissioner in Bayelsa, appealed to the media to assist the commission in enlightening the electorate to embrace peace and shun violence.

Efanga assured that the commission was determined to conduct credible elections.

Officials from various units of INEC took turns to make presentations on the workings of their departments and the roles they play in the electoral process.

Mr Raymond Ofonye, Head of Information and Communications Technology, ICT, in his presentation, traced the history of introduction of technology in the electoral system.

He noted that the Bi-Modal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS was developed to address the challenges of earlier systems, stating that technology was dynamic and synonymous with improvements.

He said that the continuous upgrade of the BVAS has resulted in up to 99 per cent reliability and less than one per cent failure to identify accredited voters.

NAN/Confidence Okwuchi