By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Ahead of the November 6, 2021 governorship election in Anambra State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has requested 24,000 security personnel in the state to enable it to conduct election in the state.

This is coming on the heels of growing insecurity in the state that has led to the death of over 10 people, including Dr Chike Akunyili along with his driver and police escort at Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state, on Tuesday.

Speaking at a one-day sensitization workshop on political btoadcast organised by the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC in Awka, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, harped on the importance of a knowledgeable electorate in terms of civic education and enlightenment.

He said that engaging stakeholders and collaborators to ensure violence-free elections, as 26,000 Adhoc staff with 24,000 security personnel, were needed for the election.

According to him, engaging stakeholders and collaborators to ensure violence-free elections, as 26,000 adhoc staff with 24,000 security personnel, were needed for the election.

He harped on the importance of a knowledgeable electorate in terms of civic education and enlightenment.

Orji said the commission was battling to overcome escalating security challenges posed by secessionist agitators, unknown gunmen and COVID-19 pandemic.

He added: “I call on key players in the broadcast industry and other stakeholders to be cautious of their editorial contents and play their role creditably in the poll.”

In his speech, the Director-General of the Commission, Malam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, who spoke through the Director of Broadcast Monitoring, Mrs Franca Aiyetan, said it considered it necessary to remind stations and stakeholders to ensure ethical broadcast during the electoral process.

He said: “Broadcast stations should ensure that they did not use their platforms to disseminate falsehood, fake news, hate speech or preach violence and other anti-social tendencies inimical to nation-building.

“I wish to remind broadcasting stations who will be reporting the Anambra State gubernatorial elections to do so in conformity with the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, especially the provisions relating to political broadcast and election coverage.”

Ilelah described the theme of the workshop, “Towards Achieving A Successful Election: The Need to Uphold Fair Play, Decency and Equity”, as of utmost importance and apt.

In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C. Don Adinuba, urged broadcasters to be neutral and objective in their reportage.

While commending the commission for organizing the programme, Adinuba said that past elections in the state were peaceful, and challenged INEC not to compromise its innovations in the electoral process.

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