The Independent National Electoral Commission, on Monday, announced the successful accreditation of 721 media personnel from 114 media organisations to cover the upcoming Edo State governorship election on September 21, 2024.
The accredited outlets, which include newspapers, radio, television, and online platforms, have collectively submitted the details of 721 personnel who will be deployed to cover the election.
INEC revealed this in a statement released on Monday by its National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun.
According to the commission, the personnel will serve as reporters, cameramen, broadcast engineers, and support staff during the election.
The list of accredited organisations and personnel has been verified and made available on INEC’s official website and social media platforms.
“It will be recalled that in our recent statement, the commission urged media organisations interested in covering the forthcoming Edo State governorship election to submit their applications and upload the personal details of their personnel ahead of the deadline of Thursday 5th September 2024.
“The commission is pleased to announce that after verification, 114 newspaper, radio, television and online media organisations have successfully uploaded the details of 721 personnel to cover the election as reporters, cameramen, engineers for live broadcast and support staff.
“The full list, including the number of personnel to be deployed, has been uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information,” the statement read in part.
INEC said accreditation tags would be ready ahead of the election to allow unhindered access to voting and collation centres.
INEC also urged media organisations and observers to adhere to their professional ethics and abide by legal frameworks and the commission’s regulations throughout the election process.
Meanwhile, the commission said it had opened its online portal for the accreditation of media organisations and journalists for the November 16, 2024 Ondo State governorship election.
INEC, in a statement released on Monday by Olumekun, announced that the portal was now live and would remain open until midnight on Thursday, October 31, 2024.
Media outlets interested in deploying reporters and technical staff for election coverage are required to submit their applications through the portal at [https://imap.inecnigeria.org](https://imap.inecnigeria.org).
INEC urged media organisations to complete the accreditation process well before the deadline, as late submissions would not be accepted, and no extensions would be granted.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission is pleased to announce that the dedicated portal for online accreditation of journalists and media organisations wishing to cover the Ondo State Governorship election scheduled for 16th November 2024 will open today Monday 9th September 2024.
“It will automatically shut down at 12 midnight on Thursday 31st October 2024.
“Interested media organisations wishing to deploy journalists and technical staff to cover the election are by this notice required to apply via https://imap.inecnigeria.org
“We implore prospective applicants to do the needful well ahead of the 31st October deadline. There will be no deadline extension, while late submission will not be entertained,” the statement read.