Election 2023 : Responsibilities Of Accredited Journalists.

Accredited Journalists and allied staff have the right to cover all election procedures within the respective jurisdictions for which they have been accredited. They are expected to strictly abide by relevant laws, INEC Regulations and Guidelines, Rules and Codes from relevant Regulatory Bodies as well as the ethics of journalism.

JOURNALISTS ARE TO:

1. Display their photo identification Tags issued by Commission at all times.
2. Be at the polling unit from the opening of the poll on Election day to observe all stages of the polling process – from voter accreditation, through the voting period, to the counting of ballot papers and pasting of results – provided they do not interfere with polling processes or compromise the voters the statutory right to secrecy of his/her vote.
3. Move around the polling units as long as their movements do not obstruct the voting process or the work of the poll officials, interview voters, observers or other persons within the polling environment without interfering with the polling process
4. Observe the deployment of sensitive materials and retrieval of used and unused sensitive materials after the polling processes.

JOURNALISTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO:

1. Film or take photographs of any individual within the polling zone without his/her consent.
2. Film or photograph any voter marking a ballot paper.
3. Photograph, acquire pictures, film footage, or audio commentary that reveals the personal details of the voter.
4. Film, photograph or copy the Register of voters, voters card, or any other document(s) as would infringe on the privacy of any voter
5. Handle any polling material

LINE OF AUTHORITY/OBEDIENCE TO LAWFUL DIRECTIONS:

Accredited Journalists, like everyone else in the polling environment, shall be subject to directives and control of the Presiding Officer.

INEC reserves the right to withdraw and revoke at anytime the accreditation of any journalist who defies the directives of any Presiding Officer or Authorized INEC official or who violates the provisions of law, regulation, code, or professional codes of journalism practice.

NOTE

1. INEC reserves the right to withhold accreditation for any organization or journalist whose professional identity could not be verified.
2. There shall be no manual accreditation.
3. Only accredited media representatives will be allowed free movements or access to polling units, collation centers, or any INEC office facility.
4. Accreditation tags will stand as pass for both the Presidential/Senatorial House of Representatives election of Saturday, 25th February 2023, and the Governorship/State Houses of Assembly election of Saturday, 11th March 2023