With concerted efforts by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the nation’s media, the desire to have a free, fair and credible election will be achieved.
The chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made this assertion, on Wednesday in Lagos.
Yakubu who spoke at a strategic interactive meeting with media executives and online publishers said it was unfortunate that some people in the country did not want a society where elections would be free and fair.
He therefore sought the cooperation of the media in the country to achieve the goal of INEC which, he said, was working hard to ensure that every vote counted.
His words: “A the beginning of this presentation, I talked about the areas of convergence between the media and INEC. I believe by virtue of the functions of both entities, they are committed to a strong democratic Nigeria, based on one man, one vote, anchored on free, fair and credible elections.
“While it is INEC’s desire to ensure that only the choice of the electorate emerges at the end of every election, I regret to inform this audience that some individuals in our society do not believe in free and fair elections and they will do everything within their power to undermine the process.
“It is our collective duty, therefore, to ensure that this sort of mindset fails.”
The INEC boss emphasised that one major area that the support of the media was needed was in containing fake news.
He said that was because those against the success of the electoral system had always taken advantage of technology to spread falsehood.
Said he: “The emergence of the Internet with its tremendous opportunities for all sectors, including the media and it has broadened the scope of human abilities to share information and knowledge within seconds. The dynamism of the social media, enabled by the power of the internet, has made it possible for media organisations like yours, to upload narratives which in turn are transmitted to digital platforms such as cell phones, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and so on, providing an opportunity for millions of people all over the world to watch them within a short time.
“Quite often, those who try to undermine the electoral system and their sympathisers take advantage of the free social media space and sometimes even the traditional media to advance their interest and spread falsehood.
“This can take various forms. They can, for instance, cook up wild allegations against the commission, and/or its officials to frustrate a good policy which they perceive as inimical to their selfish interest.
“When such allegations get to you, please, thoroughly investigate. Afterall, one of the tenets of your noble profession is ‘fairness’ and ‘objectivity’. I implore you to always balance your stories.”
Yakubu also spoke about the efforts by INEC to improve on its performance in order to ensure that the elections in the country are more credible.
He said the desire to achieve that had seen the commission deploying technology in its activities.
He said to a good extent, corrupt activities of politicians were being curbed.
“Before our own eyes, things are changing. The way to go is to continue to deepen the use of technology in elections. Be rest assured we will continue to do so. We have responded to the glitches in Anambra immediately.
“There were no challenges reported during the supplementary election in Ihiala Local Government held on Nov. 9; I want to reassure Nigerians that we have learnt vital lessons from the Anambra pilot.
“There will be remarkable improvement in the next major election. We want to assure you that in subsequent election, you will see the wonders of BVAS,” he said.
He also spoke about the enormity of the work being carried out by INEC.
According to him, INEC was saddled with the work of an “Election Management Body and Electoral Commission”.
In her remarks, the President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, GOCOP, and the Publisher of Realnews, Ms Maureen Chigbo, applauded INEC over the amount of success recorded in the recently conducted Anambra State governorship election.
She called on the commission to do more to ensure that the glitches experienced in the use of technology in the exercise waere reduced ahead of 2023 election.
The Executive Director of International Press Center, IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, who was present at the occasion, praised INEC for the efforts to make elections in the country to be free and fair.
He said the strategic interactive section would help INEC in strategizing ahead of the coming elections and improve its performances.
