Adequate knowledge of the Electoral Act will aid journalists – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, wants media professionals in Osun State to study the new electoral act ahead of the July 16th governorship election in the state.

The Commission’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Festus Okoye stated this at a workshop organised for journalists in Osun State on the new innovation in the conduct of elections and the legal issues surrounding the new electoral act held in Osogbo the state capital.

Mr. Okoye said having adequate knowledge of the electoral act would enable journalists to perform their roles professionally and efficiently.

The INEC National Commissioner who hinted that the new electoral law would be the commission’s guiding principle in the conduct of the Osun State governorship election urged journalists to be fair and objective in their reportage.

While enlightening participants on the Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System, BIVAS, and its usage the INEC Head of Department on ICT/VR, Mrs. Olufunke Toki hinted that BIVAS would prevent sharp practices during the election as it must first recognize both the face and fingerprint of every voter before he or she will be allowed to vote.  

In his remark, the Osun State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Mr. Wasiu Ajadosu noted that the workshop would equip journalists with the rudiments of electioneering in line with the new electoral law.

Some of the topics discussed during the workshop were technological innovations by INEC with emphasis on BIVAS and its usage, the electoral Act 2022, and the elections among others.

Abiodun Adeoye