Edo Polls: INEC Calls On Journalists To Follow Legal Guidelines

Edo Polls: INEC Calls On Journalists To Follow Legal Guidelines

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Friday urged journalists to abide by all laws, regulations and guidelines for the September 21 Governorship election in Edo State.

It also enjoined journalists to obey all rules and codes from relevant regulatory bodies as well as the ethics of the journalism profession in the discharge of their duty on election day.

The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, who stood in for the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voters Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, stated this at the commission’s forum for reporters, producers and on-air personalities in Benin, Edo state.

He noted that journalists are not allowed to film or take photographs of any individual within the polling zone without his/her consent and film or photograph any voter marking a ballot paper.

He also said that journalists are not take photographs, acquire pictures, film footage, or audio commentary that reveals personal details of the voter, film, photograph, or copy the register of voters, voter cards, or any other document(s) as it would infringe on the privacy of any voter, adding that journalists are not also allowed to handle any polling material.

He noted, “The role you play as journalists in shaping our democracy is crucial. As the fourth estate of the realm, the media is not just a conveyor of information but also a vital player in the democratic process, particularly during elections. Your work influences public perception, informs voter decisions, and upholds the integrity of the electoral process.

“The media is an indispensable partner in the conduct of elections.

Your role extends beyond mere reporting; you are the bridge between the electorate and the electoral process. Through your platforms, you educate voters on their rights, responsibilities, and the procedures of the electoral process.

“You highlight the manifestos and policies of candidates, facilitating informed choices by the electorate.

Your investigative journalism brings transparency, exposing malpractices and ensuring accountability.

“Moreover, in an era of misinformation and fake news, your role as gatekeepers of factual information is critical. It is through your dedication to truth and accuracy that voters are protected from misleading narratives that could compromise the integrity of the elections.”

Similarly, he said journalists covering the election must abide by all laws and INEC regulations and guidelines, all rules and codes from relevant regulatory bodies as well as the ethics of the journalism profession.

“Journalists are not allowed to film or take photographs of any individual within the polling zone without his/her consent, film or photograph any voter marking a ballot paper, photograph, acquire pictures, film footage, or audio commentary that reveals personal details of the voter.

“Journalists are not also allowed to film, photograph, or copy the register of voters, voter cards, or any other document(s) as would infringe on the privacy of any voter and should not handle any polling material.”

Olumekun noted that journalists are to display their identification tags issued by the commission at all times on polling day, be at the polling unit from the opening of polls on election day to cover all stages of the polling process from voter accreditation, through the voting period, to the counting of ballot papers and pasting of results provided they do not interfere with polling processes or compromise the voters statutory right to secrecy of his/her vote.

He also said journalists have the right to move around the polling units as long as their movements do not obstruct the voting process or the work of poll officials, interview voters, observers, or other persons within the polling environment without interfering with the polling process.

According to him, the media can cover the deployment of sensitive materials and the retrieval of used and unused sensitive materials after the polling processes.