2019 Polls: INEC Boss Begs Media To Be impartial

“We implore you to resist the temptation of being used to fan the ember of ethno- religious crisis. It is our hope that we will continually count on the media to work with the Commission to deepen our democracy.”

Professor Mahmood spoke today, Saturday, at Epe, Lagos State at the bi-annual retreat of the State House Press Corps (SHPC) from the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The INEC boss insisted that Nigeria, as one of the emerging democratic societies of the world must be supported, particularly by the media,  to succeed.

He also asked  the media to ensure that the political leaders entrench democratic principles and values in governance that would quicken national development. “This precisely must be the focus of electioneering campaigns.”

The full text of Professor Mahmood’s lecture,  titled: COVERING ELECTIONEERING CAMPAIGNS is reproduced here:

It is my pleasure to be here today at this bi-annual retreat for State House Press Corps. I must say that this retreat is quite apt considering the topics we are to share. The political activities are already gathering momentum and very soon the electioneering campaigns will commence. In the run-up to 2019 General Elections, the Commission has come up with 2017-2021 Strategic Plan and Programme of Action as well as the time table of activities for the 2019 General elections. The timetable indicates that the commencement of campaigns by Political Parties for Presidential and National Assembly, and Governorship and State House Assembly are slated for 18th November 2018 and 1st December 2018 respectively. This demands accurate coverage of the political activities of the political class hence the wisdom in slating this topic for discussion is highly commendable because we are all working together to ensure that our democracy meets international best practices.

I want to use this unique opportunity to thank the organizers of this programme and also express the Commission’s gratitude for your cooperation in the democratic process of our nation. I must admit that as an Election Management Body, we have enjoyed good coverage by the media generally. This has been very helpful because the increasing public confidence we enjoy today could be partly attributed to the balanced coverage of electoral events. We appreciate deeply the fact that on some occasions we are called upon to explain our processes and procedures and answer questions from stakeholders on various platforms. This gesture has improved the image of the Commission and also enhanced our relationship with Nigerians who we are committed to serve.

All over the world, the media are known as the cornerstone of democracy because they play critical roles in proper functioning of democracy. In facilitating the full participation of the citizenry in democratic elections, the media are specifically saddled with the responsibility of:

• Educating voters on how to exercise their democratic rights;

• Reporting on election campaigns;

• Providing platforms for Political Parties and candidates to communicate their messages to the electorate;

• Providing a platform for public feedback, concerns, opinions and needs to the Political Parties and candidates, the Election Management Body (EMBs), government, and other electoral stakeholders, thus facilitating interactions on governance issues;

• Allowing Political Parties and candidates to debate with each other;

• Reporting results and monitoring vote counting;

• Scrutinizing the electoral process itself, including electoral management, in order to evaluate the fairness of the process, its efficiency and its probity;

• Providing information in a manner devoid of inflammatory language, and helping to prevent election-related violence.

Elections are not just about the right to vote. Knowledge of the voting process, information about Political Parties, candidates and their programmes are also crucial. Also required is the acquisition of the knowledge of how to vote. It is the sacred responsibility of the media to provide avenues and opportunities for citizens’ participation, political inclusion, and empowerment. The media should avail voters with adequate information about the electoral process and informed analysis on policies, Political Parties, and their candidates, to enable the citizens make informed choices. To fulfil this obligation, the media have the duty to subject the electoral process to scrutiny to provide public education on the activities of the EMB and other electoral stakeholders, in order to hold them to account.

According to a 2011 report on Media and Parliamentary Election in Egypt by the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies:

The media is the primary means through which public opinion is shaped and at times manipulated. Elections constitute a basic challenge to the media, putting its impartiality to test. The task of the media, especially national media outlets, is not and should not be to function as the mouthpiece of any government body or particular candidate. Its basic role is to enlighten and educate the public and act as a neutral, objective platform for free debate of all points of view.

In an increasing globalized world, the media have therefore become a powerful tool in determining the political agenda, even in the most advanced democracies of the world. More importantly, the media have become an active participant in the political process and policy decisions, in developing democracies. The ability of the media to shape public opinion by providing content and context to discourse has serious implications for the electoral process, with both positive and negative consequences.

THE MEDIA, DEMOCRACY AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA.

Chapter 11 section 22 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) stipulates the obligation of the mass media as follows:

The press, radio, televisions and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.

The obligation under this chapter on Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy is anchored on the premise articulated in section 14 that Nigeria is a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice governed by the belief that:

• Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria whom government through the Constitution derives all its power and authority;

• That the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of the government; and

• The participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

It is therefore the duty of the media to act as the watchdog of the society, with the primary responsibility of protecting public interest against any abuse by those entrusted with power and resources of the State. Flowing from this, is a responsibility for the Nigerian media to create awareness to sensitize citizens about their rights and responsibilities by continually providing information on public and current affairs. The media should educate and empower the citizens to hold public officials accountable for their actions or inactions. By serving as a marketplace of ideas, playing diverse advocacy roles and providing platforms for the government, interest groups and individuals to push messages, the media must be constantly aware of its position as the Fourth Estate of the realm and the fourth pillar of democracy. This consciousness in turn strengthens democracy and promotes good governance and promotes the development of the society.

It is a common knowledge that in politics, mass communication is one of the most strategic means of winning hearts and minds of the electorates who are the determining factors and king makers in any democratic free, fair and credible election. Hence the primary role of the media to ensure continual flow of information, on elections, and sensitizing the public on their rights and responsibilities in elections, in no small measure gives the electorate the opportunity to make informed decisions

The vital role of the media as the watchdog of the democratic process especially during elections, is essential for the consolidation of democracy in the political space. Creating platforms for information dissemination and public enlightenment for electoral campaigns, public debates, and voter education is a pre-condition for free and fair elections.

COVERING ELECTIONEERING CAMPAIGNS AND THE MEDIA.

Elections in a nutshell is the process of choosing a candidate for elective position (Akinwalere 2015). It is a centerpiece of democracy and a mechanism through which the people exercise control of the destiny of their nation. Therefore, elections are people’s source of power.

 Elections cannot have its full meaning without electioneering campaigns. Electioneering Campaign can be viewed as the entire or series of activities engaged in by persons who have agreed to submit themselves to elections, to influence the anticipated preference of the electorate positively.  It is an avenue used by the political actors to sensitize the political community in relation to making the community consider them as potential and better representative of the people(lynn2009).

The media serve as a link between the political parties and the electorate. They play a major role during the election process and it is a known fact that through the broadcast and publications of campaign messages through news, interviews, speeches, documentaries, commentaries, advertisements, etc have the potential of influencing the decisions of the electorate who generally rely on the media during the electioneering period to provide the needed information for them to make informed decisions. Hence the media’s coverage and publication or broadcast of political campaign messages, influence the electorates’ decision either in favour or against a given political party or candidate.

Covering of Electioneering Campaigns in Nigeria is not new. The advent of the first radio transmission in 1933 and television in 1959, indicates that covering electioneering campaigns in Nigeria has come a long way. Today, we have over 200 hundred radio stations and 150 television channels owned by the Government, Communities and private individuals. This is apart from online publications and bloggers. From the statistics herein, one can say that electioneering campaigns have in recent times enjoyed more coverage than before. The arrival of the social media has in no small measure enhanced communication in the political community, albeit wrongly some times.

There is no doubt that election periods are most trying times for any media establishment ranging from ownership control of the outfit to the struggles for prime time. It puts its impartiality and objectivity to test. Past experiences have shown that some media organizations align themselves to one political party or another and become the mouth piece of the parties they are aligned to. Such actions do not give room for objectivity, fairness, and justice in discharging their responsibility to the public. This could be traced to the ownership of media outfits and their relationship with the political system. It is widely believed that media owners with political interests prevent their media outfits from adhering to fundamental principle of balance, fairness and objectivity (Edogbo 1999).

The need to give all Political Parties equal coverage is in agreement with the core value of the Commission as regards giving equal level playing field for all Political Parties. It is therefore expected that media establishments should ensure equity in the allocation of time especially during electioneering campaigns.

To enable the electorate have a full picture of electioneering campaigns, the reportage of the views of candidates and their political parties should be direct and in their own words rather than as interpreted by others. This will in no small measure assist the voters in making informed decisions.

Accessibility of all Political Parties and their candidates to media publicity is very crucial in electioneering campaigns. While some political parties can afford daily access to all media outfits, some cannot because of the cost of coverage. This is actually a threat to democracy. Our Social Corporate Responsibility should include enhancing the visibility of young and upcoming Political Parties in the political space by reducing the cost of publicity and coverage of electioneering campaigns.

One of the major concerns of the Commission is low turnout of voters in elections. Some of the reasons could be attributed to sensational reportage of electioneering campaigns. It is a fact that when the public is fed with hate speeches, blackmail, falsehood and news of imminent catastrophe by the political class through the campaign messages from the media, it heats up the polity and sends cold shivers to the fragile emotions of the electorate. It is a common sight to see people leave their original places of residence to either their home towns or leave the country entirely rather than staying back to cast their votes for the fear of being hurt on election days. The implication of this is that only a few determine the fate of a whole nation for a period of time.

Since electioneering campaigns in Nigeria has become a theatre of conflicting interests, the media should internalize the concept of public good in the discharge of their duties in the electoral process. The media should seek out the relevant truth in electioneering campaigns for the people. This includes interpreting campaigns in the light of the electoral needs of the people. The ordinary expectation therefore is that the media should focus on matters that portend serious consequences for the people and their political choices rather than relating unwholesome political advertisement especially during live electioneering campaigns which could lead to post election violence.

Equally the emergence of the new media has enhanced the dissemination of information tremendously. However, it has been observed that this outfit has created an unacceptable avenue for hate speeches, fake news and other forms of reporting likely to inflame passion and trigger crisis during campaigns and elections. It is our desire that this is subjected to open conversation amongst related agencies and stakeholders until a solution is found through structured and sustained engagements between the media and other stakeholders.

CONCLUSION.

I must say that as an Election Management Body (EMB), the conduct of free and fair election is our core mandate. Also the Commission is the organization on whose shoulders rests the largest responsibility of nurturing, sustaining and continuously deepening the norms and democratic values in Nigeria. I must tell you that the Commission has a department saddled with the responsibility of monitoring the activities of the political parties including their electioneering campaigns.

As you are aware, the Electoral Act provides campaign spending limits for candidates as follows:

• Presidential 1 billion naira only;

• Governorship 200 million naira only;

• Senatorial 40 million Naira only;

• House of Representatives 20 million Naira only;

• State House of Assembly 10 million Naira only;

• Chairmanship Area Council 10million Naira only

• Councillorship Area Council 1 million Naira only.

In addition, the Electoral Act stipulates that political parties must submit three types of Financial Reports as follows: –

• Annual Report

• Election Contribution Report

• Election Expenses Report.

The need for the regulations on spending limit is to create a level playing field and enable small and new political parties to be heard, prevent fund raising from unhealthy sources and increase accountability and transparency.

We also have a committee of all security agencies in the country i.e Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Securities whose members also cover all electoral activities including electioneering campaigns and give accurate reports to the Commission.

It is important for me to say that we are carrying out these responsibilities conscientiously and improving our methodologies and standards from one election to the other. This Commission has conducted elections into 179 constituencies and since January this year, we have conducted 4 elections, majority of them by court order and one off cycle Gubernatorial election. We still have 5 bye elections into national and State Assembly constituencies to conduct, including 4 vacancies that occurred in less than 2 months (March-April 2018) and Osun State Gubernatorial election coming up on the 22nd of September, 2018.

As we approach the 2019 General elections, we enjoin the media to partner with the Commission in providing information on its plans for the elections.  You are aware that the Commission commenced the Continuous Voters Registration exercise nationwide as part of its statutory duties. As at 13th July, 2018, a total number of 10,292,647 (5,620,401 males, 4,672,246 females) prospective voters had registered. We also have a large number of uncollected Permanent Voters Cards in our various offices. We appeal to you to use your networks and platforms to publicize this information and encourage the owners to come and pick them.

Whereas the Commission has improved with every election it has conducted so far, we are determined to make the 2019 General Elections our best election ever but we cannot do it alone. We need the support of all stakeholders. I wish to remind you that the role of the media in the forthcoming elections is challenging. Our expectation is that the media will set agenda for the political class and also play the role of peace building, to heal the cleavages that may have been raised from intense campaigns.

Indeed, Nigeria as one of the emerging democratic societies of the world must be supported to succeed, hence call on the media to ensure that our leaders entrench democratic principles and values in governance that would quicken national development. This precisely must be the focus of electioneering campaigns. We implore you to resist the temptation of being used to fan the ember of ethno- religious crisis. It is our hope that we will continually count on the media to work with the Commission to deepen our democracy.

Thank you and God bless.