The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has condemned the “rig and die” slogan being promoted by some political actors forward of the 2027 common elections, warning that it may expose harmless Nigerians to electoral violence.
The Commission additionally vowed that electoral officers, together with advert hoc personnel, discovered responsible of compromising the electoral course of would face the complete weight of the regulation.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, gave the warning at a media engagement discussion board for journalists and media executives from the South-East, South-South and South-West geopolitical zones in Enugu.
Haruna cautioned politicians in opposition to inflammatory statements and threats able to endangering Nigerians engaged as presiding officers, advert hoc employees, get together brokers and election observers.
He stated disagreements over election outcomes ought to be addressed via lawful channels, together with complaints to INEC, safety companies and the courts, quite than resorting to violence.
The National Commissioner additionally known as for stronger collaboration between INEC and the media to safeguard democracy and guarantee credible, peaceable and clear conduct of the 2027 elections.
Describing the media as a essential stakeholder within the electoral course of, Haruna stated public confidence in elections depended largely on the accuracy, equity and professionalism of election reporting.
He warned journalists in opposition to spreading misinformation, unverified outcomes, manipulated movies and inflammatory political narratives able to undermining public confidence and triggering violence.
Haruna significantly cautioned in opposition to untimely declaration of outcomes, sensational reporting and presenting projections as official outcomes.
He stated, “Results are declared only by the Commission through its duly appointed returning officers. Projections and unofficial figures must be clearly labelled as such.”
He urged journalists to confirm allegations in opposition to INEC via its official channels earlier than publication and report electoral incidents responsibly, distinguishing between occasions personally witnessed and data obtained from different sources.
The commissioner additional known as for inclusive election reporting that offers ample consideration to girls, youths and individuals with disabilities, significantly the challenges they face in taking part within the electoral course of.
He urged media organisations to accentuate voter training, particularly on Permanent Voter Cards, accreditation procedures, digital transmission of outcomes and peaceable participation.
In a presentation on Ethical and Professional Standards in Election Reporting, one other useful resource particular person, Osaretin Imahheyierobo, urged journalists to familiarise themselves with the Electoral Act 2026, INEC’s election protection tips and the Nigerian Broadcasting Code.
He regretted that many journalists overlaying elections had been unfamiliar with the legislative and regulatory frameworks governing electoral reporting.
Imahheyierobo challenged media organisations to ascertain devoted election desks, editorial tips and fact-checking mechanisms forward of the 2027 polls.
He additionally urged journalists to grasp INEC’s technological improvements, significantly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), to keep away from inaccurate reporting of voting and result-management processes.
The useful resource particular person stated journalists should resist the temptation to compromise skilled requirements for brown envelopes, insisting that political candidates ought to be subjected to correct scrutiny quite than having their claims and manifestoes uncritically amplified.
He known as for equitable media entry for all political events and candidates, noting that voters relied on the media for info essential to make knowledgeable electoral selections.
He additional urged journalists to keep away from amplifying violent slogans and inflammatory messages able to endangering voters, electoral officers and observers.
Earlier, the Enugu State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Chukwuemeka Chukwu, stated the engagement underscored the Commission’s dedication to strengthening its relationship with the media forward of the 2027 elections.
Chukwu described the media as a strategic accomplice in voter training, shaping public opinion and holding establishments accountable, however warned that misinformation may undermine electoral credibility.
He disclosed that INEC had acquired about 35,000 Permanent Voter Cards for distribution throughout 260 wards in Enugu State and urged journalists to help public enlightenment on their assortment.
While acknowledging the independence and watchdog duties of the media, the REC urged practitioners to uphold accuracy, objectivity, equity and professionalism in reporting electoral actions.
He assured that the Commission remained dedicated to conducting a suitable, clear, inclusive and peaceable 2027 common election, including that it was open to constructive criticism and proposals from media stakeholders.
Chukwu additionally urged journalists to teach voters on what to do earlier than, throughout and after elections to allow them to train their franchise peacefully and make knowledgeable selections.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Council, Comrade Obinna Ogbuka, recommended INEC for organising the engagement however regretted that the initiative had not began early sufficient to permit extra journalists to learn from the coaching earlier than the graduation of the election cycle.
Ogbuka additionally expressed concern over the obvious lack of budgetary provision for journalists’ logistics throughout election assignments, saying media practitioners wanted ample help to discharge their duties successfully.
He additional expressed concern over declining public confidence in INEC and urged the Commission to take deliberate steps to rebuild belief earlier than the 2027 elections.
Other displays on the one-day engagement addressed the authorized and regulatory frameworks governing elections, provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and guidelines guiding the publication and announcement of election outcomes.
Participants recommended INEC for its preparations for the 2027 elections however urged the Commission to deal with shortcomings that marred earlier polls, significantly the technical glitches that affected digital transmission of outcomes in the course of the 2023 presidential election.
Media practitioners on the occasion additionally urged INEC to recognise journalists as essential stakeholders within the electoral course of.
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