The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on the media to support the call for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Tribunal.
INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu made the appeal during the Commission’s first regular quarterly consultative meeting with media stakeholders in Abuja.
Yakubu stressed that while the Commission remains committed to improving the electoral process, dealing with electoral offences remains a major challenge due to the slow judicial process.
The INEC boss however urged the media to amplify advocacy for the tribunal, stating that its establishment would enhance electoral integrity by ensuring swift prosecution of offenders, particularly those involved in vote-buying and electoral malpractice.
In his remarks, the National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Hassan Yahaya,who was represented by the National Secretary, Achike Chude assured INEC of the union’s collaboration as the success of INEC is the success of the Nigerian state.
The NUJ president further tasked the media to initiate conversations that would project debate for credible reforms in the electoral process.
