The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has warned media organizations to be cautious about false information and inaccurate reports before the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.
Yakubu issued the warning during the initial quarterly meeting with media organizations in Abuja on Thursday.
The Edo governorship election is set to take place on September 21, 2024, and the Ondo governorship election will be held on November 16, 2024.
With only three days left until the deadline for the Edo election, only 10 parties have submitted the details of their candidates to the INEC portal.
Seventeen out of 19 parties have expressed their interest in participating in the Ondo governorship election.
Yakubu emphasized that INEC does not support censorship, and stated that the key to combating false information is increased transparency and openness.
“A very important reality in today’s age of information technology is the spread of false information and misinformation instantly and on a global scale. As I have stated on numerous occasions, INEC does not support censorship. The best remedy for false information is greater openness and transparency.
“It is in furtherance of this policy that the commission regularly engages with stakeholders through our standard consultative meetings. We value our partnership with the media and I want to assure you that INEC will continue to collaborate closely with you. We welcome your reports, commentaries, and analyses on elections in particular, and electoral activities in general.
“More specifically, some of the improvements introduced by the commission to enhance service delivery to the electorate, ensure the safety and security of journalists, and provide them with unrestricted access to various locations during elections and electoral activities are based on your reports, as well as the ideas and recommendations put forward during our quarterly meetings. I urge you to continue to stand against false information and misleading accounts about the commission and its activities,” he said.
The INEC chairman called on media organizations to interact with political parties and their aspirants and cover the primaries with the same thoroughness and depth as they do for the main election conducted by INEC.
“Doing so will significantly contribute to strengthening our democracy, since only the outcomes of the party primaries are ultimately included on the ballot paper for citizens to vote for in the main election.
“Party primaries are as important as the main election conducted by INEC,” he emphasized.
In his speech, the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Chris Isiguzo, highlighted the significance of free, fair, and credible elections in advancing the country’s democratic governance.
Urging the media, Isiguzo said, “Let us reaffirm our commitment to the noble principles of democracy, accountability, and civic responsibility.
“Let us collaborate to ensure that the upcoming elections in Edo and Ondo states, as well as future elections, are conducted with the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and transparency.”
