INEC WARNS JOURNALISTS AGAINST FAKE NEWS, PREMATURE RESULTS DECLARATION AHEAD OF EKITI GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned journalists, broadcasters and online media practitioners against the spread of fake news, misinformation and premature declaration of election results ahead of the Ekiti State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026.
The Commission warned that inaccurate reporting, manipulated videos, misleading headlines and unverified polling unit figures pose serious threats to the peaceful conduct of elections and could undermine public confidence in the democratic process.
The warning was issued on Tuesday during the INEC Media Stakeholders’ Forum held in Ado-Ekiti for media executives, producers, reporters and on-air personalities ahead of the election.
Speaking on behalf of the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti State, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, stressed that the media remains a critical partner in protecting electoral integrity.
He expressed concern over the rising spread of false election information on social media and unverified online platforms, urging media organisations to strengthen fact-checking mechanisms before publication or broadcast.
“We call on media executives to establish and activate fact-checking protocols. Reporters must verify information from official INEC sources before broadcasting or publishing,” he said.
Omoseyindemi cautioned broadcasters against amplifying unverified claims in the rush for breaking news, noting that sensational reporting could trigger panic, suppress voter turnout and disrupt public peace.
“The media is not just an observer in the electoral process; the media is a strategic partner in safeguarding democracy,” he added.
He disclosed that 64 media organisations had applied for accreditation to deploy about 560 journalists for the coverage of the election, while the accreditation portal would close automatically on June 7, 2026.
According to him, the election will be conducted across 16 local government areas, 117 wards and 2,445 polling units in the state, with 13 political parties expected to participate.
He added that the Commission had concluded key preparations, including publication of the final list of candidates and the presentation of the final voter register to political parties.
Omoseyindemi also confirmed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) would be deployed to ensure transparency in accreditation and result transmission.
He further announced that Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection in Ekiti State will run from June 4 to June 11, 2026, across designated centres.
The Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, said the engagement was aimed at strengthening collaboration between INEC and the media, while providing clarity on electoral procedures and technology deployment.
Also speaking, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Adedayo Oketola, described misinformation as one of the greatest threats to credible elections.
“The greatest threat to a peaceful election today is often not physical violence, but information pollution,” he said, urging journalists to prioritize accuracy over speed.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists also pledged support for efforts to curb fake news and promote responsible election coverage.
The forum featured technical briefings on electoral operations, ICT deployment, logistics, and provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, as part of preparations for the forthcoming poll.
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