The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed plans to transmit the results of the Kogi State Governorship Election electronically directly from polling units to its server. The decision aims to enhance transparency, eliminate rigging, and curb electoral fraud, according to Prof. Gabriel Longpet, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kogi.
Prof. Longpet shared this information during a two-day media roundtable engagement organized by the Independent Press Center (IPC) in Abuja. He emphasized that electronic transmission of results would prevent irregularities and enhance credibility by maintaining the integrity of the results throughout the electoral process.
He highlighted the importance of electronic transmission in addressing issues that typically occur between polling units and collation centers, stating that this method would prevent the mutilation or tampering of results. The REC underlined that the upcoming Kogi gubernatorial election would be determined by the ballot, not by violence or coercion.
Prof. Longpet encouraged Kogi residents to actively participate in the election, assuring them of the commission’s commitment to ensuring that votes count and that elected officials emerge through legitimate and popular votes.
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Mr. Lanre Arogundade, the Executive Director of the Independent Press Center, stressed the significance of the media’s role in promoting transparency and credibility in the democratic process. The media training, conducted as part of the EU-SUPPORT TO DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA (EU-SDGN 11) COMPONENT 4: SUPPORT TO MEDIA, aims to equip journalists with the necessary tools to report accurately and fairly on electoral activities.
Arogundade urged the media to maintain professionalism, accountability, and objectivity in their coverage, holding INEC accountable for delivering a credible Kogi election. He also emphasized the media’s responsibility to inform the public about registration and voting processes.
As part of the training, the media has been tasked with documenting relevant information about the Kogi Governorship Election for post-election purposes. Arogundade underscored the media’s role in informing the electorate about candidates, political parties, and election processes, aligning with universally accepted guidelines to ensure the public’s informed judgment.
The media training involves approximately 25 Kogi journalists representing print, electronic, and online platforms. It seeks to empower journalists to contribute to a credible and peaceful Kogi State Governorship Election by providing accurate and unbiased information to the public.