Elections: INEC releases media accreditation guidelines

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday released guidelines for the accreditation of journalists who will participate in the coverage of the general elections across the country.
According to the commission’s Daily Bulletin issued in Abuja, media organisations intending to send representatives for the election must apply to INEC for the accreditation of every individual.
It said that would begin on Friday and end on February 13, adding: “For the safety of all participants in the electoral process, every person in the polling environment on Election Day will have some form of accreditation from INEC.
“These include poll workers, registered voters, party agents, domestic, and international election observers, local and foreign journalists as well as special guests of the commission.
“Accreditation is also required for assistants like translators, orderlies, drivers and audio-visual handlers.”
It advised media organisations to assign Liaison Officer(s) to coordinate the accreditation of their nominated staff by INEC.
The commission advised organisations seeking accreditation for their personnel to do so through a letter, outlining names and duties of each worker “as well as proof of identity”.
It added that the issuance of accreditation tags and kits would be done simultaneously nationwide.