The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned against spreading fake news and misinforming the public. The electoral body said this ahead of the fast approaching governorship election in Edo State which holds on September 21.
Sam Olumekun, the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, issued the warning during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday.
Olumekun, who was represented by the Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Mary Nkem, emphasised the critical role the media plays in ensuring the integrity of the upcoming election.
Olumekun cautioned that the spread of false information, particularly in the digital age, could lead to public unrest and erode trust in the election results.
“In this digital age, we are acutely aware of the dangers posed by fake and misleading news, especially during an election period.
“Such information has the potential to disrupt the electoral process, undermine public confidence and incite unnecessary tensions,” he said.
To counter this, INEC has committed to maintaining transparency and providing timely updates.
The commissioner noted that the public can rely on the commission for accurate information, adding that various channels have been made available for voters and the media to verify any election-related news directly with the 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.
While the commission has taken steps to mitigate the risks of fake news, including regular communication with stakeholders and the media, Olumekun stressed that journalists must remain 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.”
As part of its election preparations, INEC has been working closely with security agencies and local stakeholders to ensure a smooth electoral process in Edo.
Key preparations such as installing Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines and printing triplicate copies of the voters’ register for all 4,519 polling units in the state are completed.
The Edo governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.
