2023: INEC seeks online publishers’ support, says votes to determine election outcome

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Thursday reiterated that votes cast by electorate would determine the outcome of the 2023 general elections

Yakubu, who spoke at the 6th Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), also urged the media gurus to help fight fake news.

He spoke on “2023 Elections: Managing the Process for Credible Outcome”, in Lagos.

Yakubu, who commended the leadership as well as membership of GOCOP for extending invitation to him, said INEC cherished the support of the online media.

The INEC boss reminded the publishers to be aware that election remained a multi-stakeholder activity.

“As the Commission is doing its best to ensure a credible process, we also appeal to the media for continuous partnership.

“Managing the electoral process for credible outcome is the responsibility of all of us.

“As campaign activities get underway, the media will continue to play an important role. A lot of the activities will take place in the media of which the new media is a critical player.

“We must continue to work together against the spread of fake news, misinformation and disinformation that seek to create or exacerbate tension or de-legitimise processes and outcomes,” he said.

According to him, GOCOP must lead a network or alliance of stakeholders to curb fake news engineered by unpatriotic individuals.

“Fake news is a threat to national security and all hands must be on deck to check it. Managing this process requires in part, concerted efforts.

“We have noticed that your members have so far steered clear of fake news. We urge you to do more.

“GOCOP should come out strongly in the battle against fake news which is clearly a challenge to the electoral process going forward.

“We are happy to note that you have your peer review mechanism using your leaders to regularly remind every member of the need for credible journalism.

“This is highly commendable. We urge you to extend this beyond GOCOP to serve as a bulwark against the menace of fake news,” he said.

Yakubu said that, for INEC, the national interest comes first, saying, “We shall not pander to any partisan whims and caprices. We pledge to discharge our duties with the highest sense of responsibility and integrity.”

He said that the Commission did not take partnership with GOCOP for granted as a stakeholder and dependable ally in sustaining and deepening the nation’s democracy.

The INEC Chairman commended GOCOP for choosing “2023 Elections: Managing the Process for Credible Outcome” as the theme for this year’s conference.

He described this as most appropriate for a number of reasons, with the 2023 General Election fast approaching.

According to him, it is now 141 days to Election Day, when polling units will open at 8.30am on Feb. 25, 2023, for national elections (Presidential and National Assembly) and same time on March 11 for State elections (Governorship and State Assembly).

He said that campaigns in public by political parties officially commenced eight days ago on Sept. 28.

Yakubu said that the tempo of political activities had increased as parties, candidates and their supporters commence campaigns, rallies, processions and media advertisement to canvass the support of the electorate.

According to him, the Commission has published the final list of 15,322 candidates for the General Election contesting for 1,491 seats (one Presidential, 28 Governorship, 109 Senatorial, 360 House of Representatives and 993 State Assembly constituencies).

He said: “I wish to restate once again the commitment of INEC to credible elections. Votes will continue to count and will be the sole determinant of electoral outcome.

“For this reason, the Commission has introduced many new innovations, supported by the deployment of appropriate technology, to protect the sanctity of the choice made by Nigerians at the polls ranging from voter registration to voter accreditation and result management.

“The deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) with its dual fingerprint and facial biometric accreditation process has ensured that only genuine voters are accredited to vote during election.

“This has curtailed the incidence of multiple voting and other sharp practices associated with voter accreditation during elections.

“The BVAS has come to stay and will be the only means by which voters will be accredited in the 2023 General Election.”

The INEC boss said that the introduction of the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) Portal had made the result management procedure more transparent.

“Polling Unit results are now uploaded in real-time to the IReV portal for public view. This has enhanced the transparency, credibility and consequently public confidence in the outcome of elections.

“The IReV has come to stay, and polling unit results will be uploaded to the portal in real-time in the 2023 General Election.”

Yakubu urged political parties, their candidates and supporters to adhere to the Peace Accord organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC) signed last week.

He said that political parties must be committed to peaceful electioneering, urging them to be guided by the letter and spirit of the Accord.

He said that the commission would pay particular attention to the conduct of parties, candidates and their supporters.

“As a regulator, the Commission will play its role to ensure compliance with the provision of the law as well as our guidelines and regulations.

“We will pay particular attention to peaceful campaign devoid of abusive, intemperate and slanderous language as well as the use of innuendoes or insinuations likely to provoke a counter-reaction resulting in the breach of the peace.

“Similarly, we will pay special attention to the observance of limits on party and candidate finance.

“I urge political parties and candidates to carefully study the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and familiarise themselves with their obligations as well as the penalties under the law.”

He described the conference as relevant and timely, urging GOCOP members to continue to work in partnership with the Commission in its sheer determination to ensure credible elections in 2023.

In her welcome address, the President of GOCOP, Ms Maureen Chigbo, commended INEC for its preparations for the 2023 poll, assuring the commission of support by the online publishers.