The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Joash Amupitan, says elections succeed only when citizens trust the information they receive, stressing that technology cannot guarantee credibility without public confidence.
Speaking on Friday, Mr Amupitan warned that even the strongest electoral systems could be undermined by misinformation, misinterpretation, or deliberate distortion of facts.
“Elections do not succeed on technology alone; they succeed when the public believes in the information they receive,” he said.
He noted that journalists provide the “on-ground verification” that reinforces trust in the ballot and strengthens overall confidence in the electoral process.
“The credibility of our electoral process is paramount; it is the foundation upon which our democracy stands,” the INEC chair stated.
INEC had previously attributed its failure to upload result sheets during the 2023 presidential election to an unexpected glitch. In its report, the commission explained that the delay stemmed from “the inherent complexity within the system, which was difficult to anticipate and mitigate.”
Mr Amupitan described the over 100 members of the INEC Press Corps as indispensable intermediaries between the commission and the Nigerian public.
“Your role is critical. You are frontline correspondents who ensure outcomes are transparent and verifiable. You are important chroniclers who validate the integrity of the process for the entire nation,” he said.
He urged journalists to rely on verified information and avoid rumour-driven reporting, noting that the commission’s website and digital platforms remain the most authoritative sources for electoral updates.
The INEC chair also highlighted the media’s impact on recent electoral coverage, including the Anambra governorship election and the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration.
Calling for sustained collaboration, he urged the media to help curb vote-buying, rigging, and deliberate falsehoods capable of suppressing voter turnout or inciting unrest.
“The media must act against falsehoods that suppress turnout, incite violence, or undermine the integrity of our results,” he said.
Mr Amupitan also commended the author of a newly unveiled book documenting the risks and sacrifices of journalists covering Nigeria’s elections, pledging continued openness, accountability, and technological innovation as INEC prepares for the FCT elections and the governorship polls in Ekiti and Osun.
In his remarks, the author, Mr Ojumu, said the book draws from 11 years of reporting on INEC and a decade of covering election cycles. He described it as a tribute to journalists working in volatile environments.
“When you flip these pages, you are reading a history of courage,” he said, recalling the ordeal of colleague Chux Ukwuatu as an example of the dangers faced by reporters safeguarding the public’s right to credible information.
Mr Ojumu urged more INEC correspondents to document their experiences and called for continuous training and mental-health support for journalists. He also emphasised the need for INEC, political parties, security agencies, and the media to prioritise reporter safety, noting that democracy thrives only “when the messenger is protected.”(NAN)
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