The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the accreditation of 114 media organizations for the upcoming Edo State governorship election on September 21, 2024.
These accredited outlets, which include newspapers, radio and television stations, and online platforms, have collectively submitted details of 721 personnel who will be assigned to cover the election.
INEC disclosed this information in a statement released on Monday by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun.
The commission stated that the personnel will serve in various roles, including reporters, cameramen, broadcast engineers, and support staff during the election.
The list of accredited organizations and personnel has been verified and is available on INEC’s official website and social media platforms.
“It will be recalled that in our recent statement, the commission urged media organisations interested in covering the forthcoming Edo State governorship election to submit their applications and upload the personal details of their personnel ahead of the deadline of Thursday, September 5, 2024.
“The commission is pleased to announce that after verification, 114 newspaper, radio, television and online media organisations have successfully uploaded the details of 721 personnel to cover the election as reporters, cameramen, engineers for live broadcast and support staff.
“The full list, including the number of personnel to be deployed, has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information,” the statement read in part.
INEC assured that accreditation tags would be ready before the election to allow unhindered access to voting and collation centres.
The commission also urged media organisations and observers to adhere to professional ethics and legal frameworks and abide by the commission’s regulations throughout the election process.
The commission emphasised the importance of unbiased and ethical reporting before, during, and after the polls.
“The commission wishes to reassure all accredited media organisations, observers and political party agents that their accreditation tags will be ready ahead of the election.
“While assuring all accredited groups of unimpeded lawful access to voting and collation locations, we appeal to media organisations and observers to abide by their codes of professional ethics, the law and the commission’s regulations and guidelines in their reportage, and observation of processes and procedures before, during and after the election,” the statement added.