..Ondo has 2,053,061 registered voters- INEC

The media, often referred to as the fourth estate, plays a crucial role in ensuring a peaceful atmosphere during pre-election activities, the election period, and post-election processes. Their influence is evident in how they deploy their professional tools and expertise to cover election activities.

As the 2024 gubernatorial election in Ondo State approaches, journalists on election duty have been reminded of the need to focus on issue-based and credible reporting, while setting the agenda for candidates in line with the code of election coverage.

At the opening of a two-day media dialogue on credible governorship elections in Ondo State, organized by the International Press Centre (IPC) and the Centre for Media & Society (CEMESO), participants—drawn from broadcast, print, and online media—were trained on the appropriate approaches to report electoral activities, free from misinformation, disinformation, and sensationalism.

The event was held at Royal Birds Hotel and Towers in Alagbaka, Akure.

During the interactive training sessions led by media experts, discussions centered on how journalists can engage candidates on their manifestos by asking questions of public interest, thereby setting the agenda for the election.

In his welcome address, IPC Executive Director, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, emphasized the essential role of the media in promoting electoral integrity. He noted that elections are the cornerstone of democratic societies, highlighting the importance of capacity training for journalists in preparation for election coverage.

Arogundade stressed that the dialogue aimed to foster collaboration among stakeholders, ensuring that the media remains fair, accurate, ethical, and professional in covering the upcoming Ondo State elections.

He also underscored the importance of journalists’ involvement in voter education, helping to inform the electorate about their rights and responsibilities.

The sessions were led by notable resource persons, including Dr. Tunde Fajimbola, a Senior Lecturer at Elizade University, who spoke on the media’s role in addressing key issues in the Ondo governorship elections. Mr. Taiwo Obe, Founder of the Journalism Clinic, guided participants on asking the right questions and telling impactful stories during electoral coverage.

In his remarks, CEMESO Executive Director, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, emphasized that off-cycle elections are a significant feature of Nigeria’s electoral calendar. He highlighted the need for journalists to be well-equipped to contribute to credible electoral processes.

The State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Leke Adegbite, commended IPC for its efforts in building journalists’ capacity through trainings. He acknowledged that the media dialogue came at the right time and assured the organisers that participants would strive to achieve the set goals.

A highlight of the first day’s session was an interactive discussion with the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, who provided updates on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) efforts and preparedness to ensure a credible, inclusive, free, and fair gubernatorial election on November 16, 2024.

She noted that Ondo State has a total of 2,053,061 registered voters and mentioned that the portal for media registration for the election had opened on Monday.

The REC also disclosed that, a measure had been put in place to prevent delay in vote casting process on the election day due to faulty BVAS,  with the available of Registration Area Technicians who would be deployed to voting units to attend to faulty BVAS.

This program is part of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGNII) project, with IPC serving as the lead partner under Component 4, which focuses on support to the media.

Story Credit: Mary Agidi