The Independent National Electoral Commission ,INEC; says it is collaborating with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Matters Commission ,(ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ,(EFCC) to check vote-buying during the forthcoming General election.
The Electoral body while describing vote-buying as a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the country's political system said it has also sensitised the people to monitor and report anyone involved in the act during the elections.
INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC); in Rivers State, Mr. Johnson Sinikiem stated this in Port Harcourt, during the opening ceremony of the 2023 Press Week of the Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists ,NUJ ,Rivers State .
Mr . Sinikiem, represented by the Director Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Mark Usulo, said with the new Electoral Act, anyone found with a permanent voter's card ,PVC; that does not belong to him or her, risks a jail term.
He said the Security Agencies, especially the Nigerian Police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) have been briefed to watch for people in possession of PVCs that are not theirs.
The REC, who called on the media to ensure accurate reportage of INEC activities before, during and after the general elections, said the electoral body will ensure free, fair, credible and violent-free election.
On his part, Chairman of the occasion Dr. Jossy Nkwocha, called on the media and Nigerian journalists to be objective in the reportage of the forthcoming general election in the country.
Dr. Nkwocha, who is the Head, Corporate Communications, Indorama-Eleme Petrochemicals Limited, enjoined journalists to devoid from spreading fake news saying there is the need to check sources of information before using the stories.
Our Correspondent reports that the theme of the Correspondents' Week is "Media Vigilance Ahead of Peaceful 2023 Election In Rivers State."
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