INEC Bars Journalists From Observing Election Materials Distribution, Gives Reasons

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Jigawa, today locked media outside while sorting and distributing sensitive elections materials to the 27 local government areas in the state.

Reports from the state indicated that the journalists were barred from entering the venue of the sorting out and distribution of the election materials after the media practitioners arrived the venue to witness the distribution, reports Nigerian Tribune.

It was gathered that journalists abandoned and waited outside the maintenance area of the CBN until the end of the exercise.

Speaking to the newsmen, the state Electoral Commissioner, Professor Lawal Bashar said the sensitive materials were all moved to the 27 LGAs.

According to him, based on the instruction given by the CBN, journalists were not allowed to enter and inspect the distribution and the evacuation of the materials which include the Result Sheets and other auxiliaries.

While commenting on the last Presidential and the National Assembly elections, he said there was no report of late arrival of the electoral materials anywhere in the state, despite the fact that there were reports by the media on how so many polling units started late.

He said all the Ad-hoc staff of the Commission will move to the LGAs headquarters early Friday morning to have some refresher training before moving to their respective areas of assignments.

Also, the National Commissioner in charge of Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdu Zuru said he was in Dutse to witness the distribution of the electoral materials to the LGAs.