IEBC, media stakeholders form task force to handle electoral matters

 

The Independent Electoral Boundary Commission and media stakeholders have formed a task force to handle electoral matters ahead of the 2022 general elections.

The task force will draw modalities of enhancing the relationship between the media and the IEBC as part of ensuring a seamless flow of information as the country prepares for the elections.

This was revealed during a consultative meeting between IEBC and the media sector held in Mombasa on Monday.

From the media fraternity, the members selected to seat at the task force include Roselyne Obala, Mary Daraja, Jamila Mohammed, Peter Ngare and Martin Maasai.

Those from the IEBC are Tabitha Mutemi, Jackton Nyonje, Crispin Owiye, and Dickson Vanusu.

The Kenya Editors Guild President Churchill Otieno noted that the journalists covering the elections are trained to offer meaningful coverage of elections.

"This will be done in full and complete respect of the editorial independence in newsrooms jointly and individual," he added.

IEBC shall work through the Joint Media Taskforce on Elections to grant access to its server for effective access and transmission of results.

"Results transmission is a critical component in the organisation and management of a credible general election, and to enhance the transparency of the electoral process the task force will be required to work together," Otieno noted.

Another resolution made at the meeting was the call on the establishment of an electoral media centre to ensure journalists, candidates and other stakeholders have a central place necessary for sharing information.

The importance of an electoral media centre according to Otieno will level the playing field and ensure all Kenyans seeking office access the media.

Speedy access to reliable information was emphasized to be critical to a free and fair election and the media should be granted access to critical information on elections to enhance democracy.

"This will also guarantee greater access to information to ensure the elections are transparent and accountable and enhance the chances for common persons to have realistic access to credible election information," Otieno added.     BY THE STAR