INEC receives 363 media accreditation requests for Anambra poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission has received applications from 43 media organisations seeking accreditation to cover the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election.

According to the commission, a total of 363 journalists and media personnel are expected to participate in the coverage of the poll, scheduled for November 8, 2025.

Speaking at the commission’s third quarterly consultative meeting with media executives in Abuja on Wednesday, the acting INEC Chairman, May Agbamuche-Mbu, said, “The commission’s Media Accreditation Portal for the Anambra State Governorship Election was opened on September 1, 2025.

“As of this morning, we have received applications from 43 media organisations for 363 individuals.”

INEC’s accreditation process, she explained, is not only a requirement for access to polling stations and collation centres but also a key part of its election security and integrity framework.

Media accreditation tags will include scannable security codes that allow instant verification of each journalist’s status by security agencies and INEC officials.

“These tags are vital to our transparency and security measures.

We strongly urge all applicants to complete their accreditation process before the deadline. There will be no extension beyond midnight on October 24, 2025,” Agbamuche-Mbu said.

She stressed that accredited journalists must approach their duties with the highest level of professionalism and ethical responsibility, particularly in combating misinformation during the electoral period.

“You play a critical role as a bulwark against fake and misleading information.

“We count on you to uphold the integrity of the information space during this election cycle,” she said.

INEC has already completed 10 of the 13 scheduled activities leading up to the Anambra poll.

Remaining milestones include the publication of the Notice of Poll on October 25, the final day for campaigns on November 6, and the election itself on November 8.

The commission has delivered all non-sensitive materials to the state and is actively engaging with security agencies to ensure a peaceful election.

Agbamuche-Mbu concluded by reaffirming INEC’s commitment to a credible electoral process and encouraged continued collaboration with the media.

Our doors remain open for verification and clarification on any matter.

“Together, we can safeguard the credibility of the electoral process,” she said.

In his remarks, the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Yahya Alhassan, called for deeper collaboration between INEC and the media as the country prepares for the upcoming Anambra governorship election and other electoral activities.

Alhassan described the engagement as timely and essential, noting the critical role the media plays in upholding democratic values.

He stressed that the media is not just a passive observer but an active participant in shaping credible, transparent, and peaceful elections.

“Our duty is to ensure that citizens are well informed, that political actors are held accountable, and that the process is reported with accuracy, fairness, and responsibility,” he stated.

While commending INEC’s efforts to improve election management through the use of technology, inclusivity, and transparency, the NUJ president emphasised the importance of effective communication.

“These reforms must be effectively communicated to the public, and that is where the media comes in. It is through our reports, analyses, and engagements that citizens develop trust and understanding of the system,” he added.

Looking ahead, Alhassan urged INEC to continue supporting capacity building for journalists covering elections, promote fact-checking to counter misinformation, and ensure timely access to electoral information.

“As we approach future elections, it is imperative that the collaboration between INEC and the media be deepened,” he added.

The meeting was attended by media executives, editors, senior journalists, and members of the INEC Press Corps, along with representatives from professional media associations and regulatory bodies.

INEC had earlier confirmed that 2.8 million voters are registered to participate in the election.

The electoral body has released the final list of candidates and announced the official commencement of campaign activities.

Sixteen political parties met the submission deadline of May 12, 2025.

culled from punch