The Nigeria Police Command and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Bayelsa have restated commitment to ensure free, fair and credible elections for the people in the state and nation at large.
They made the remark at the one-day-training of Journalists on 2019 Election Coverage organised by the Bayelsa Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Yenagoa on Friday.
Mr Aminu Salah, state Commissioner of Police, said that the officers were willing to provide the security needs for the forthcoming elections and noted that the major challenge of security of lives and property in Bayelsa is the terrain.
Salah said that other challenges are manpower due to the wide area of coverages, an increase of thuggery, illiteracy level among the electorates, cultism among others.
The CP, who spoke on a topic “The Challenges of Securing Lives and Property During Elections and Safety of Journalists” said that some measures had been put in place to secure not only the media but the populace.
“We are collaborating with other security agencies to boost security; our challenge is the electorates because the voter education has been too low,” the CP said.
Mr Monday Udom, INEC’s REC in the state said the importance of the media to the conduct of elections could not be over-emphasised due to its fundamental roles.
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Udom, represented by Mrs Ayei Obaseki, Head of INEC’s Legal Services in the state, spoke on “The Role of Media on Election Coverage” urges the journalists to desist from partisan and be fair in reportage.
“INEC and Police will work together at ensuring that the elections are free and fair. Always be objective in reporting.
“We know that monitoring of governance is fundamental role of the media, especially during and you must do this with carefulness and accuracy,” Udom said.
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