As the Edo State governorship election approaches, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned against the dissemination of fake news and misinformation during the electoral period.
Sam Olumekun, the INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee of the commission, issued the warning at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday.
Represented by Mary Nkem, Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Olumekun underscored the media’s pivotal role in upholding the integrity of the upcoming election.
“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,” Olumekun said.
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To address this issue, INEC has pledged to uphold transparency and provide timely updates. Olumekun highlighted that the public could rely on the commission for accurate information and noted that various channels are available for voters and the media to verify 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 the circulation of false information,” Olumekun stated.
Despite these efforts, Olumekun stressed the importance of vigilance on the part of journalists. “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,” he said.
INEC has also been collaborating closely with security agencies and local stakeholders to ensure a smooth electoral process in Edo. Key preparations, including the installation of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines and the printing of triplicate copies of the voters’ register for all 4,519 polling units in the state, are complete.
The Edo governorship election is set for Saturday, September 21, 2024.
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