The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has engaged media professionals in Anambra State ahead of the November 8, 2025 governorship election to strengthen collaboration on voter education, fact-checking, and credible election coverage.
The engagement forum, held Tuesday in Awka, brought together editors, reporters, producers, and on-air personalities to discuss strategies for curbing misinformation and fostering public confidence in the electoral process.
In her remarks, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, described the media as key partners in safeguarding democracy and ensuring credible polls. She urged journalists to maintain neutrality and help citizens make informed choices through accurate reporting.
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Representing the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Sam Olumekun (mni), INEC’s Deputy Director of Publicity, Mr. Wilfred Ifogah, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to transparency, noting that non-sensitive materials had been delivered and that sensitive ones would arrive soon under tight security.
He announced that Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) would be available for collection between October 22 and 26 at registration wards, urging media houses to mobilize voters.
Mr. Ifogah also cautioned against fake news, encouraging journalists to prioritize verification and accuracy. He reminded reporters that INEC’s media accreditation portal closes on October 24, with tags available for collection from November 3 at the NUJ Secretariat in Awka.
Delivering a goodwill message, Comrade Okechukwu Onuegbu, Secretary of the NUJ Anambra Council, commended INEC for the initiative and called for improved communication channels between the Commission and journalists during elections.
INEC’s Head of ICT, Engr. Emeka Nnaji, highlighted how the deployment of BVAS and IReV has improved transparency, curbed multiple voting, and enhanced real-time result transmission.
Also speaking, Barr. Olachi Chioma, Head of Legal Services, reminded media practitioners of their obligations under the Electoral Act 2022, particularly the 24-hour campaign blackout before election day.
The Head of Electoral Operations, Ejimofor Ejikeme, conducted an operational briefing on voting procedures and ballot handling.
The forum ended with a shared commitment to sustained engagement between INEC and the media, with participants pledging to uphold professionalism and strengthen democracy through responsible journalism.
