2027 Elections: INEC Warns Journalists Against Fake Results, Inflammatory Political Reporting
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday, November 9, 2026, warned journalists against publishing unverified election results and inflammatory political statements ahead of the 2027 General Elections, stressing that irresponsible reporting could undermine public confidence and threaten peaceful electoral participation.
The warning was issued during a media engagement forum held at Hotel Sylvia, Enugu State, on Monday, with representatives of media organisations, journalists and social media analysts in attendance.
The commission also condemned the use of the expression “rig and die” by political actors, warning that such rhetoric could expose electoral officials, party agents, observers and voters to violence.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, gave the warnings during the engagement.
Haruna, who called for stronger collaboration between the electoral commission and media organisations, said the credibility of elections depended partly on the accuracy, fairness and professionalism of information disseminated to the public.
He cautioned journalists against circulating misinformation, manipulated videos, unverified election results and political narratives capable of provoking violence.
The national commissioner particularly warned against prematurely declaring election winners or presenting projections and unofficial figures as results announced by the commission.
He maintained that election results should only be declared by duly appointed returning officers, urging journalists to distinguish between verified developments and information obtained from unconfirmed sources.
Haruna also urged political stakeholders to channel disagreements over election outcomes through lawful procedures rather than resorting to threats and violence.
He called on media organisations to intensify voter education, particularly on Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection, accreditation procedures, electronic transmission of results and peaceful participation.
The engagement also highlighted the need for more inclusive election reporting, with journalists encouraged to give adequate attention to women, young people and persons with disabilities.
Speaking at the event, Enugu State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Chukwuemeka Chukwu, described the media as an important partner in the electoral process, particularly in disseminating information, educating voters and holding institutions accountable.
He cautioned practitioners against publishing unverified information about election results, polling-unit incidents, electoral materials and technological processes.
Chukwu also urged journalists to explain voting procedures to Nigerians to improve public understanding of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.
In a presentation on ethical and professional standards in election reporting, resource person Osaretin Imahheyierobo urged journalists to familiarise themselves with the Electoral Act 2026, INEC’s election coverage guidelines and the Nigerian Broadcasting Code.
He also challenged media organisations to establish dedicated election desks, strengthen editorial guidelines and introduce effective fact-checking mechanisms.
According to him, journalists need a proper understanding of electoral technology, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), to avoid misleading reports about voting, accreditation and result management.
Imahheyierobo further cautioned against compromising professional standards for financial inducements, urging journalists to scrutinise political candidates and their campaign promises.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Council, Comrade Obinna Ogbuka, welcomed the commission’s engagement with media stakeholders and called for sustained training opportunities for journalists.
He also highlighted the need to rebuild public confidence in the electoral commission, urging INEC to maintain an open relationship with the media while addressing concerns surrounding election administration.
The engagement featured presentations on the legal, technological and operational aspects of election administration, alongside interactive sessions that allowed participants to seek clarification on electoral procedures.
The discussions formed part of broader efforts to strengthen cooperation between INEC and media stakeholders as Nigeria approaches the 2027 General Elections.
