The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged journalists to verify election-related information before publication to prevent misinformation and protect public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abia State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Sylvia Uchenna Agu, gave the charge at the 2026 Media Retreat and Press Week of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council, in Umuahia.
Speaking on the theme, “Safeguarding Electoral Integrity in the Digital Age: INEC and the Media Ahead of the 2027 General Election,” Agu identified fake news, artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes, cloned voices and manipulated result sheets as major threats to electoral credibility.
She urged media organisations to prioritise accuracy over speed, advising journalists to confirm election information with INEC rather than rely on unauthorised sources.
Agu also called for increased public enlightenment on the Electoral Act, 2026, particularly provisions on BVAS accreditation, electronic transmission of polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) and penalties for officials who deliberately obstruct the process.
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