The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a warning to journalists against the dissemination of unverified election results, manipulated information, and misinformation that could compromise public confidence in the upcoming 2027 general election.
This caution was communicated by the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Abia State, Prof. Sylvia Uchenna Agu, during the 2026 Media Retreat and Press Week organized by the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Umuahia. The session was centered around the theme “Safeguarding Electoral Integrity in the Digital Age: INEC and the Media Ahead of the 2027 General Election.”
In her address, Agu highlighted various threats to electoral integrity, including misinformation, artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes, and manipulated result sheets. She stressed the importance of prioritizing verification over speed in news reporting, asserting that the eagerness to report should not endanger national stability or public trust. She remarked, “The race to break the news must not break the nation.”
Agu encouraged journalists to confirm election-related information with INEC before publication. She cautioned that unauthorized declarations of results could lead to reputational risks for media organizations. She also called on the media to enhance voter education by clarifying key aspects of the Electoral Act of 2026, particularly those regarding voter accreditation and the electronic transmission of results.
Further, she explained how the new legal framework has fortified electoral safeguards, including the mandatory use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for accreditation and the electronic transmission of results to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV). She noted that penalties are in place for officials who obstruct the transmission process.
Agu pointed out that INEC is using lessons learned from prior elections to enhance technological preparedness, including improvements to BVAS and the Result Management System. She cited a specific instance during the 2023 elections where BVAS detected alleged result tampering, revealing discrepancies in voter accreditation numbers.
Additionally, she assured that INEC is enhancing cybersecurity measures, protecting election data, and improving disaster recovery protocols while responsibly integrating artificial intelligence.
Emphasizing the media’s role as a vital partner, Agu encouraged journalists to balance their watchdog responsibilities with ethical reporting practices. She reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections in 2027. The retreat saw participation from over 30 media professionals.
