The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning to journalists, broadcasters, and online media practitioners against spreading fake news, misinformation, and prematurely declaring results ahead of the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026. The alert was delivered during the INEC Media Stakeholders’ Forum held in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, where media executives, reporters, and on-air personalities were urged to uphold accuracy and responsibility in election coverage. INEC emphasized that false information, manipulated videos, and unverified polling figures could seriously threaten the peace and credibility of the electoral process.
Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti State, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, speaking on behalf of the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, stressed the media’s vital role in safeguarding democracy. He expressed deep concern over the increasing spread of false election-related content on social media and unverified online platforms. “We call on media executives to establish and activate fact-checking protocols,” Dr. Omoseyindemi said. “Reporters must verify information from official INEC sources before publishing or broadcasting.”
He cautioned on-air personalities against amplifying unverified claims in their quest to break news, warning that sensational reporting could trigger panic, reduce voter turnout, and undermine peace. “The media is not just an observer in the electoral process; the media is a strategic partner in safeguarding democracy,” he added. The Commission noted that 64 media organizations have already applied for accreditation to deploy approximately 560 journalists to cover the election, with the accreditation portal set to close at midnight on June 7, 2026.
The Ekiti governorship election will take place across 16 local government areas, 117 wards, and 2,445 polling units, with 13 political parties participating. INEC confirmed that key preparatory activities, including the publication of the final list of candidates and the presentation of the final voter register to parties, have been completed. The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) will be deployed to ensure transparency in voter accreditation and result management. Non-sensitive election materials have been procured, while sensitive materials are in the final stages of production.
Recruitment and screening of ad hoc staff have been finalized, with training to begin shortly. Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection will commence from June 4 to June 8 at registration areas and continue from June 9 to June 11 at local government offices. The Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, highlighted that the forum aimed to strengthen collaboration between INEC and the media, providing accurate information on electoral procedures, technology, and the Electoral Act 2026.
In a goodwill message, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Adedayo Oketola, described fake news as a major threat to peaceful elections. “The greatest threat to a peaceful election today is often not physical violence, but information pollution,” he said. He urged journalists to prioritize accuracy over speed, stating, “Speed must never sacrifice accuracy.” Oketola noted that seven of the nine activities on INEC’s election timetable have been completed, with plans to open all 2,445 polling units simultaneously by 8:30 a.m. on Election Day.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi, affirmed the union’s commitment to ethical journalism and introduced measures to combat fake news among online journalists in the state. The one-day forum also featured technical briefings from INEC’s ICT, Electoral Operations, and Legal Services departments on BVAS, IReV, operational logistics, and legal provisions. As Ekiti State prepares for a transparent and peaceful election, the collaboration between INEC and the media will play a crucial role in ensuring public trust and democratic integrity.
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