Independent National Electoral Commission-INEC has urged the general public to desist from hate speech and violations of electoral acts.
The Kano state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Riskwa Arabu Shehu made the call during a one-day workshop on electoral reportage organized by Kano state correspondent chapel, sponsored by INEC in Kano.
According to the commissioner, Kano state has increased it’s polling units to 11,222 within 484 wards across the state.
He said the media have a vital role to play in ensuring credible elections through reportage and enlightenment campaigns.
The commissioner decried over rising cases of hate speech in the state, saying that whoever is found guilty of instigating violence would be prosecuted.
“We have commenced registration of eligible voters.The commission approved rotation across 484 wards, our staff are on the field registering and distributing PVCs.”
Earlier in his remarks, the chairman Kano state correspondent chapel, Comrade Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu said the workshop was organized to educate journalists on how to effectively cover elections, while commending INEC for sponsoring the training.
He reiterated the correspondent’s readiness to work hard in ensuring peaceful and credible elections.
” The training was organized to engage members on the upcoming election.”
Also speaking, the Kano state chairman of Nigeria union of journalists (NUJ), Comrade Abbas Ibrahim described the workshop as apt.
Comrade Abbas who was represented by the NUJ financial secretary Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim, commended the large turn out of journalists and urged INEC to maintain the tempo by organizing trainings periodically to bridge the gap.
The workshop who witnessed large turn out of journalists from print, online and the broadcast media was marked by paper presentations, questions and answers session, among others.
KHADIJAH ALIYU
