The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commended the media for its role in everting violence during the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.
INEC on Wednesday said the sustained advocacy by the media against electoral violence contributed immensely and played key roles in the seamless conduct of the polls.
This was disclosed by the commission’s acting Chairman, AVM Ahmed Mu’azu (retd), during its quarterly meeting with media establishments in Abuja.
“On the Edo and Ondo elections, the commission must place on record, the tireless and sustained campaign by the media against electoral violence, before, during and after the elections. That level of campaign was unprecedented in our recent electoral history.
“The media did not only keep the imperative of peaceful election in the front burner but also kept the spotlight on all political parties and their candidates throughout the elections.
“The commission acknowledges this positive contribution and looks forward to improved partnership and support, as we continue our collective strides towards the consolidation of credible elections and our democracy as a whole,” he said.
According to Mu’azu, the parley with the media was intended to interact with journalists on the 15 by-elections in 11 states which were billed for October 31 but suspended due to the violence that was occasioned by the hijack of the #EnSARS protests.