(INEC. Photo Credit: ICIR Nigeria)
INEC has warned journalists not to share unverified election results, edited content and false information that could damage trust in the 2027 general elections.
It also said it is strengthening its technology, cybersecurity and results systems to protect the process before the polls.
Abia State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Sylvia Uchenna Agu, made the warning on Wednesday.
She spoke at the 2026 Media Retreat and Press Week, organised by the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Abia State Council, at Bishop Nwedo Pastoral Centre in Umuahia.
Speaking on the theme “Safeguarding Electoral Integrity in the Digital Age: INEC and the Media Ahead of the 2027 General Elections,” Agu named fake news, deepfakes, cloned voices and edited result sheets as new threats to election credibility.
Sylvia also asked the media houses to put checking facts ahead of speed.
Being first with a story should not come at the cost of national peace and public trust.
Journalists should resist pressure to publish unconfirmed information just to get an exclusive.
“The race to break the news must not break the nation,” she said.
Agu advised journalists to confirm election information with INEC before airing or publishing it.
Failing to verify claims could damage the credibility of news organisations.
INEC Warns Journalists Against Spreading Fake News Ahead Of 2027 ElectionsINEC Warns Journalists Against Spreading Fake News Ahead Of 2027 Elections also warned against declaring results from unofficial sources and asked journalists not to pass on unverified results.
She urged media outlets to help with voter education by explaining key parts of the Electoral Act 2026.
These include rules on voter accreditation and electronic transmission of results.
Agu said the new law adds safeguards.
It requires the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, for accreditation.
It also requires polling unit results to be sent electronically to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal, IReV.
The law sets penalties for officials who deliberately block electronic transmission of results.
On technology, INEC is improving BVAS, IReV, the electronic EC8A and its Results Management System, using lessons from past elections.
The electronic EC8A is designed to spot differences between handwritten polling unit result sheets and electronic results.
If a mismatch is found, the upload is blocked until it is fixed.
Agu recalled how BVAS helped expose a manipulation in Abia State during the 2023 general elections.
In one local government area, BVAS recorded 27,000 accredited voters. That figure was allegedly changed by hand to 102,000, which sparked controversy.
INEC’s ICT experts checked the number on IReV, which showed the figure BVAS had captured.
Agu said that case shows why technology matters for protecting election integrity.
INEC is also strengthening cybersecurity, protecting election data, monitoring systems more closely and improving disaster recovery plans.
It is also exploring responsible use of artificial intelligence to help with planning, data analysis and daily operations, with human oversight kept in place.
Agu stressed that technology alone cannot guarantee credible elections.
Good training, testing, preparation and teamwork across departments are also needed.
She described the media as a key constitutional partner in elections.
She cited Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution, which requires the press to hold government accountable.
She urged journalists to balance their watchdog role with ethics, accuracy and responsible reporting, especially during the election period.
INEC said it will keep working with digital platforms to deal with clearly false election content.
It will also step up voter education through its official channels.
Agu said credible elections in 2027 will depend on INEC, the media and other stakeholders working together with transparency and professionalism.
She assured journalists that INEC remains open to engaging with them.
More than 30 media practitioners took part in the retreat, which aimed to strengthen democracy and improve journalism.