The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning against the spread of misinformation during the electoral process.
Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, made the announcement in Abuja on Friday, ahead of the Edo State governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024.
INEC has been collaborating with security agencies and local stakeholders to ensure a smooth election.
Preparations include installing Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines and printing triplicate copies of the voters’ register for all 4,519 polling units in Edo State.
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Represented by Mary Nkem, Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Olumekun highlighted the crucial role of the media in maintaining the integrity of the election.
He warned that the spread of false information, especially in the digital era, could lead to public unrest and undermine confidence in the election results.
“Such information has the potential to disrupt the electoral process, undermine public confidence and incite unnecessary tensions,” he said.
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INEC has assured the public of its commitment to transparency and timely updates.
The commissioner emphasized that the commission is a reliable source for accurate information and encouraged both voters and the media to use the various channels provided to verify any election-related news directly with INEC.
“The commission has taken proactive steps to combat this menace, part of which is to be open and transparent in all its dealings. We have made it a culture to constantly update the public through you after every commission’s meeting when decisions are taken.
“We will intensify the information flow as we move closer to the Edo governorship election. Measures have been put in place to minimise circulation of false information,” he said.
Although the commission has implemented measures to address the risks of fake news, such as regular communication with stakeholders and the media, Olumekun emphasized the importance of journalists staying vigilant.
The commissioner noted, “However, we cannot do this alone. We believe that you will remain a bulwark against fake and misleading information about the commission and the electoral process.
“We urge the public and the media to play their parts by verifying any information related to the election directly with the commission before sharing.
“Our doors are open for any inquiries, and we have established multiple channels through which the public can reach us for accurate information.”
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