EKITI POLL: INEC CALLS FOR STRONGER MEDIA, PARTY COLLABORATION
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called for stronger collaboration among political parties and the media to boost voter participation and public confidence ahead of the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State and future elections across the country.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, said political parties and the media play vital roles in shaping public trust, promoting peaceful participation, combating misinformation, and strengthening the credibility of the electoral process.
Omoseyindemi made the remarks on Thursday in Ado Ekiti during a policy dialogue on the Ekiti State Governorship Election 2026 organised by the INEC Electoral Institute. The event was themed, “Safeguarding democracy and electoral participation: The role of mass media and political parties.”
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According to him, the conduct and engagement of political parties and media organisations before, during, and after elections significantly influence public perception and the overall success of the electoral process.
He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment in Ekiti State to deepening collaboration with stakeholders to ensure peaceful, credible, inclusive, and transparent elections.
The acting Director-General of the Electoral Institute, Prof. Ibrahim Sani, also stressed the importance of stakeholder cooperation in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral governance.
Sani noted that democracy depends on participation, accountability, inclusion, legitimacy, and public trust, warning that without credible information and responsible political engagement, the democratic process could become vulnerable to manipulation, apathy, division, and conflict.
He urged the media to uphold professionalism, accuracy, patriotism, and ethical standards, particularly in an era where digital platforms have amplified misinformation, hate speech, and political manipulation.
The professor also charged political parties to promote internal democracy, issue-based campaigns, peaceful conduct, and reject vote-buying, intimidation, and the spread of false information.
A political science lecturer at Ekiti State University, Prof. Akinsola Agagu, highlighted the importance of the media and political parties in preserving electoral integrity.
He urged the media to properly educate and enlighten voters while avoiding false reports capable of undermining elections. He also encouraged journalists to hold relevant agencies accountable to prevent voter disenfranchisement.
Agagu further advised political parties to mobilise citizens for active participation in the electoral process and ensure internal democracy within their structures.
The dialogue attracted representatives from security agencies, civil society organisations, political parties, the Inter-Party Advisory Committee, and media organisations.
The Ekiti governorship election is one of the key off-cycle elections scheduled ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political stakeholders already intensifying preparations across the state.
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