INEC Warns Online Publishers Against Sensational Reporting Ahead of 2027 Elections
…INEC proposes fact-checking partnership with GOCOP, discloses 103 million registered voters
Oru Leonard
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has warned online publishers against sensational journalism, fake news and the publication of unverified electoral information, cautioning that such practices could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and deepen voter apathy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan gave the warning on Thursday while addressing the 10th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) in Lagos, with the theme, “2027 Elections: Trust, Transparency and Shared Responsibilities.”
The INEC chairman, who was represented by the Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Ayobami Salami, said the media, particularly online publishers, had a critical responsibility to protect the integrity of public information and strengthen citizens’ confidence in democratic institutions.
The conference attracted publishers, editors, media practitioners, election stakeholders, civil society organisations, academics and other participants to deliberate on the role of credible information, transparency and collective responsibility in ensuring successful elections.
Amupitan noted that although INEC had the statutory responsibility to organise and conduct elections, the credibility of the electoral process depended partly on how election-related information was gathered, verified and disseminated to the public.
He warned that misleading reports could cause lasting damage to public confidence, even when such reports were subsequently corrected.
According to him, the rapid spread of digital information has created an environment in which unverified claims can circulate widely before journalists establish their authenticity.
He said Nigeria and other West African countries were increasingly confronted with coordinated disinformation campaigns, politically motivated narratives, synthetic media and artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes designed to inflame tensions and weaken public trust in electoral institutions.
“Fake news, unverified leaks, and sensationalised reports directly destroy public trust, incite civil unrest, and induce voter apathy,” Amupitan said.
He added that allegations of electoral fraud published without adequate verification could immediately damage the reputation of electoral institutions, with subsequent corrections or fact-checks often failing to restore the confidence lost.
The INEC chairman therefore urged online publishers to prioritise accuracy, fairness and responsible reporting over the pressure to break stories ahead of competitors.
He specifically cautioned against clickbait headlines, exaggerated claims and the presentation of isolated operational challenges as evidence of widespread electoral failure.
Amupitan said journalists should provide sufficient context when reporting election-related incidents and seek confirmation from INEC and other credible sources before publishing allegations concerning polling-unit results, electoral irregularities or manipulation.
As part of efforts to strengthen information integrity ahead of the 2027 elections, Amupitan disclosed that INEC was proposing a three-point partnership with GOCOP.
The proposed collaboration would focus on dedicated digital fact-verification mechanisms, stronger editorial self-regulation to discourage the publication of unverified election results and altered result sheets, and a nationwide voter education initiative.
He described online publishers as important custodians of democratic narratives, given their growing influence in shaping public opinion and determining how citizens understand electoral developments.
According to him, their platforms should be used to educate voters about electoral procedures, encourage participation and promote confidence in the democratic process rather than contribute to suspicion and disengagement.
He also urged media organisations to support voter education and the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), stressing that credible elections require informed citizens who understand their rights and responsibilities.
The proposed partnership, he said, would help establish a stronger relationship between the electoral commission and online media practitioners while promoting accountability in election reporting.
Amupitan said INEC was strengthening its technological infrastructure ahead of the general elections, including the use of artificial intelligence-assisted data auditing and cybersecurity measures.
He disclosed that the commission was working with global technology companies, including Google and Microsoft, to strengthen its digital systems against cyber threats and unauthorised interference.
“In strategic partnership with global technological leaders, including Google and Microsoft, we have embedded automated AI data-auditing tools and multi-layered firewalls to shield our databases against cyber intrusions, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and unauthorised data injection,” he said.
He explained that the measures were intended to strengthen the security of electoral databases and improve the reliability of information management ahead of the polls.
The INEC chairman stressed that public confidence in the 2027 elections should be supported by verifiable processes, effective safeguards and transparent procedures rather than assurances alone.
He further disclosed that Nigeria’s national register had risen to approximately 103 million registered voters following the conclusion of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise.
According to him, nationwide PVC collection was scheduled to commence on October 9, 2026, giving registered voters an opportunity to obtain their cards ahead of the elections.
The commission, he said, remained committed to improving its operational capacity and ensuring that eligible voters could participate in the electoral process.
Amupitan also outlined several administrative and logistical measures being undertaken to improve the commission’s preparedness for the 2027 elections.
He said INEC leadership was engaging directly with Resident Electoral Commissioners, administrative secretaries, heads of department, electoral officers and assistant electoral officers to identify operational weaknesses and introduce corrective measures before Election Day.
He added that comprehensive training programmes were underway for election personnel, with emphasis on electoral administration, the handling of technology, conflict mitigation and compliance with relevant laws.
The commission had also commenced the procurement and distribution of non-sensitive electoral materials to its 36 state offices and the Federal Capital Territory.
Amupitan explained that early procurement would provide sufficient time for inventory checks, material batching and distribution to the 774 local government areas before the elections.
He said the commission had equally procured new operational pickup vehicles and commenced their distribution to state offices and local government areas to address transportation challenges, particularly in difficult terrains, riverine communities and remote border settlements.
“The procurement and physical delivery of non-sensitive electoral materials to all 36 State Offices and the FCT have already commenced,” he said.
He added that INEC had introduced a centralised Operational Activity Schedule to monitor the movement of materials, storage security and vehicle deployment in real time through state command centres.
The initiative, he said, was designed to strengthen coordination, improve accountability and minimise logistical setbacks during election preparations.
Speaking on the constitutional authority to declare election results, the Lagos REC, Prof. Ayobami Salami, explained that the responsibility to return election results rests with the Returning Officer designated for the election concerned.
Salami clarified that appointment as an INEC official does not automatically confer the constitutional authority to declare or return election results.
He noted that even in his capacity as a Resident Electoral Commissioner, he did not possess the constitutional power to announce or return results merely by virtue of that office.
According to him, Returning Officers are appointed by the commission and are constitutionally empowered to return the results of the elections assigned to them.
His clarification comes amid growing public debates over the circulation of unofficial results, electoral projections and announcements by individuals or organisations without the legal authority to declare election outcomes.
Earlier, the conference chairman, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, emphasised the constitutional right of citizens to vote and called on INEC to ensure that the 2027 general elections were free, fair and credible.
Agbakoba, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, also raised issues expected to feature prominently in political campaigns, including the future of fuel subsidy and the economic policy choices facing the country.
He challenged presidential candidates to clearly explain their positions on the subsidy regime and outline what they intended to do differently if elected.
The senior lawyer also questioned the constitutional authority to declare election results and drew attention to the increasing influence of opinion polls, electoral projections and unofficial results circulated through traditional and digital media.
He questioned whether opinion polls and electoral projections should be subjected to rigorous verification and fact-checking standards, particularly when such information could influence public perception of candidates and the credibility of the electoral process.
The discussions highlighted the growing importance of responsible journalism, institutional transparency and public accountability as Nigeria approaches another major electoral cycle.
With preparations for the 2027 elections gathering momentum, Amupitan’s message to online publishers was clear: the pursuit of speed and audience engagement must not override the obligation to verify information.
The challenge before INEC and the media, he indicated, is to ensure that Nigerians receive accurate, balanced and verifiable information capable of strengthening democratic participation rather than discouraging voters.
As the electoral commission continues its preparations, the effectiveness of its operational safeguards and the credibility of election reporting will remain important considerations in determining public confidence in the forthcoming polls.
(INEC Media)
