Ahead of the 2023 General Elections, the Nigeria Union of Journalists in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has organised a capacity building seminar on conflict-sensitive reporting for Journalists in the South South, Nigeria.
The event which took place at the NUJ Press Center, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday, 6th December 2023 featured paper presentation on the Electoral Act 2022 and the 2023 General Elections; INECs New Technologies for 2023 General Election and the Media and the 2023 General Elections.
A Communiqué reached at the end of the discussion reads in full:
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A-ONE DAY CAPCACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP ORGANISED BY THE INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION AND NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS FOR SELECT JOURNALISTS IN AKWA IBOM STATE ON CONFLICT-SENSITIVE REPORTING AND 2023 GENERAL ELECTION ON TUESDAY, 6TH DECEMBER, 2022 AT THE NUJ PRESS CENTRE, UYO.
The capacity building received goodwill messages from the National President of the NUJ, Chief Chris Isiguzo, represented, and the Akwa Ibom State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Cyril Omoregbe, represented. Papers presented at the seminar were, “The Electoral Act 2022 and the General Election”, “INEC’s New Technologies for 2023 General Election” and “The Media and the 2023 General Election””.
▪ The forum noted series of misinterpretation of provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 by media houses and guests appearing on media programmes, and advised that media houses should always seek clarifications about any provision in the Act whenever in doubt so as not to mislead the public.
▪ Note was taken about the non-adherence to electoral guidelines and timelines by political parties, and the forum called for strict adherence to ensure a seamless electoral process.
▪ Electoral stakeholders and actors were encouraged to avoid inciteful statements capable of causing a breach of public peace, order and harmony during the 2023 elections, appealed for support to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct free, fair and credible elections.
▪ Lauded INEC for the introduction of technology such as the Bi-modal Voters Authentication System (BIVAS), INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV), and online biodata registration of adhoc personnel recruited for the election, urged the Commission to ensure strict audit of activities of her personnel who will be involved in the electoral processes to nip in the bud all forms of electoral malpractices.
▪ INEC was urged to ensure full inclusion of the media in all stages of the electoral processes to ensure that they have full information and understanding of election activities to be able to properly inform and educate the voters.
▪ INEC was urged to ensure close collaboration with security agencies to ensure protection of journalists, stakeholders and actors who will be working on election matters as well voters particularly in riverine areas which may be vulnerable to attacks.
▪ INEC assured persons who transferred their registration to the State, applied for change of polling units, and those who applied for renewal of defaced PVCs, that their cards will be ready for collection at the respective INEC offices in their LGAs from Monday 12th December 2022.
▪ INEC announced that colection of Permanent Voter Cards will end on January 22, 2023 and media houses should continue sensitising the public on matters relating to the elections.
▪ Journalists were encouraged to take active part in the electoral processes, endeavour to fact-check every information bordering on the election before dissemination to the public.
▪ The Forum commended NUJ led by the National President, Chief Chris Isiguzo, MFR, and the collaboration with INEC in organising the capacity building workshop.
Communique drafting committee
1. Abasifreke Effiong – Chairman
2. Mary Ekere – Secretary
3. Edidiong Idemokon – Member
Comrade Okpaka Dokubo – Vice President, NUJ, Zone F.
