INEC Raises Alarm Over Fake News Ahead Of Ekiti Governorship Election
With political tension rising ahead of the Ekiti governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission has warned journalists and online media practitioners against fake news, misinformation and premature declaration of election results.
The warning came during the INEC Media Stakeholders’ Forum held in Ado-Ekiti ahead of the June 20, 2026 governorship poll.
Speaking on behalf of the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Ekiti Resident Electoral Commissioner, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, said manipulated videos, misleading headlines and unverified polling unit figures could threaten peaceful elections and weaken public confidence in democracy.
He urged journalists to prioritise fact-checking and verify reports from official INEC sources before publication or broadcast.
“The media is not just an observer in the electoral process; the media is a strategic partner in safeguarding democracy,” he stated.
INEC disclosed that 64 media organisations had applied to deploy about 560 journalists for election coverage, while accreditation would close on June 7.
The Commission also confirmed that 13 political parties would participate in the election across 2,445 polling units in the state.
According to INEC, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) would be fully deployed to enhance transparency and credibility in the electoral process.
Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, described fake news as one of the biggest threats to peaceful elections, warning that “speed must never sacrifice accuracy.”
The Nigeria Union of Journalists also assured the Commission of its commitment to ethical journalism and responsible election coverage.
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