The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, says credible elections depend more on public confidence in information than on technology.
Speaking in Abuja at the presentation of a new book, The INEC Press Corps: Chronicles of Nigeria’s Election Journalists, written by Mr. Segun Ojumu Amupitan stressed that even the most advanced electoral systems can be undermined by misinformation or deliberate distortion.
“Elections do not succeed on technology alone; they succeed when the public believes in the information they receive,” he said, warning that misinterpretation and falsehoods can weaken trust in the process.
He described journalists as the “on-ground verification” essential to sustaining confidence in the ballot and safeguarding the credibility of elections.
Addressing members of the INEC Press Corps, he called them “indispensable links between the commission and the voting public,” urging them to verify all information directly from INEC.
“Your role is critical. You are frontline correspondents who ensure outcomes are transparent and verifiable. You validate the integrity of the process for the entire nation,” he said.
Amupitan also highlighted the impact of media coverage on public perception, referencing the Anambra governorship election and the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise. He urged continued collaboration between electoral authorities and the media to combat vote-buying, rigging, and misinformation that could deter voters or trigger unrest.
“The media must act against falsehoods that suppress turnout, incite violence, or undermine the integrity of our results,” he added.
The INEC chairman praised Ojumu’s book for documenting the experiences, risks, and sacrifices of journalists who cover Nigeria’s complex election cycles. He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to openness, accountability, and technological innovation ahead of the FCT polls and the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections.
Ojumu, reflecting on his inspiration for the book, said it draws from over a decade of reporting on INEC and election processes. “When you flip these pages, you are reading a history of courage,” he said, recalling dangers faced by reporters, including the ordeal of colleague Chux Ukwuatu.
He called for sustained training and mental-health support for journalists working in high-pressure political environments, urging INEC, political parties, security agencies, and media organisations to prioritise journalist safety.
“Democracy thrives only when the messenger is protected,” Ojumu said.
