Edo Guber: INEC urges media, public to scrutinize candidates’ bio-data

Edo Guber: INEC urges media, public to scrutinize candidates’ bio-data

Joel Oladele, Abuja

Ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged media organizations and registered voters in the State to vet candidates’ credentials and bio-data.

Speaking at the quarterly consultative forum with Media organizations on Thursday, the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said the essence of uploading the information on INEC’s dedicated portal as provided by law is for public scrutiny.

He noted that 10 out of 18 political parties who conducted primaries have so far uploaded the details of their candidates.

“For Edo State, 18 Political Parties conducted their primaries monitored by the Commission. Going by the provision of the Timetable for the election, Political Parties have 20 days from 4th March 2024 to upload the list and personal particulars of their candidates to our dedicated web portal.

“ As of this morning, 10 Parties have done so. We expect the other Parties to comply before the deadline of 6pm on Sunday 24th March 2024 when the portal automatically shuts down. 

“A week later on 31st March 2024, the Commission will publish the personal particulars of the candidates (Form EC9) as required by law. I urge the media and the general public, particularly registered voters in Edo State, to scrutinise the bio-data and credentials of the candidates which is the essence of the publication as provided by law.”

The INEC Boss while updating newsmen about the Ondo State governorship election slated for Saturday 16th November 2024, said 17 out of 19 parties have shown interest in the election.

He therefore urged the media to engage political parties on the conduct of primaries the same way it would do to INEC for the main election.

“Turning to Ondo State, Political Parties will commence their primaries for the Governorship election in the next two weeks. At the moment, 17 out of 19 Parties have indicated interest in participating in the election. 

“I urge media organisations to engage with Political Parties as well as their aspirants and report on the primaries with the same diligence and depth you report on the main election conducted by INEC. Doing so will go a long way to strengthen our democracy since only the products of the party primaries are ultimately placed on the ballot paper for citizens to vote for in the main election. Party primaries are as important as the main election conducted by INEC,” he noted.

Yakubu, while appreciating media organizations for their partnership, appealed to them to continue to fight against fake news.

“A very important reality in today’s age of information technology is the spread of fake news and misinformation instantly and on a global scale. As I said on many occasions, INEC does not believe in censorship. The best antidote to fake news is greater openness and transparency.

“ It is in furtherance of this policy that the Commission interfaces regularly with stakeholders through our regular consultative meetings. We appreciate our partnership with the media and I want to reassure you that INEC will continue to work closely with you. We welcome your reports, commentaries and analyses on elections in particular and electoral activities in general. 

“More specifically, some of the innovations introduced by the Commission to improve service delivery to the electorate, ensure the safety and security of journalists and grant them unimpeded access to various locations during elections and electoral activities draw from your reports as well as the suggestions and recommendations made during our quarterly meetings. I urge you to continue to be a bulwark against fake news and misleading narratives about the Commission and its activities,” he noted.