The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) supported by DAI-EUSDGN, organized a roundtable with the INEC Press Corps on the improvements introduced by the Commission since the conclusion of the 2019 General Election and the lessons learned from the recently concluded off-cycle gubernatorial elections in Osun and Ekiti states. The workshop held on
September 26 and 27, 2022.
Popular innovations have been introduced by the commission and it is significant to enlighten the public, especially registered voters, about the Commission’s processes and procedures, Regulations and Guidelines and the Electoral Act 2022 as the 2023 General Elections
approach.
The Commission must use all the resources at its disposal, including the INEC Press Corps, which possesses the power to play this critical educational role must have a concise understanding of the new developments that had taken place within the Commission, what Nigerians should look forward to in the coming elections and what must be shunned. The INEC Press Corps members, which comprise journalists from print, broadcast and online media organisations officially assigned to and accredited by the Commission to cover its specific activities, have especially in the last five years, generously reported on the Commission. In order for the Press Corp to continue doing well at these reportings, they must be carried along with transparent and up-to-date information. These circumstances are what necessitated the Capacity Development Workshop for the INEC Press Corps members. At the end of the two days deliberations, the following goals were achieved:1. The Press Corps’s understanding of the constitutional and legal issues in democratic elections in Nigeria as contained in the Electoral Act 2022;
2. Awareness of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 general election as released by the Chairman INEC on February 26 2022;
3. Awareness of the new provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and their direct bearing on the critical stages of the electoral process;
4. Knowledge and a better understanding of the use of technology, innovations, and issues in Electoral Operations’ Planning, Continuous Voter Registration (CVR): The Journey towards 2023 General Election, INEC’s Strategy for Improved Voter Awareness, Participation and Media Partnership for 2023 General Election, Mainstreaming Gender
and Inclusive Issues, Adequate Training for Poll officials, Litigation: Issues and Challenges, the quest for and path towards credible 2023 Polls, managing registered Political Parties in Nigeria, Planning and Monitoring Strategies, realities of conducting elections under Health Emergency: INEC’s Experience in the off-cycle elections The workshop which was held on September 26 – 27th had in attendance the National Commissioner & Chair of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Festus Okoye Esq, The Technical Team to the Chairman, Directors and Deputy Directors of INEC departments and the Press Corps members.
Two-Day Capacity Building Workshop on the Commission’s Processes, innovations, Preparations for the 2023 General Election and Critical Issues in the Electoral Act 2022 for Press Corps Members
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