The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has lamented what it described as the weaponisation of election-related disinformation.
The electoral umpire said the development has become very worrisome.
The National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC) Prof. Kunle Ajayi, spoke on Monday in Nasarawa at a two-day capacity building and workshop for INEC Press Corps on ethical, safety practices and critical issues relating to the Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa governorship elections.
The program was sponsored by the Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI).
He noted that while reporting on election matters, the media must address issues with a deep sense of professionalism, journalistic ethics and high standards.
Ajayi said the workshop was very apt, coming ahead of the scheduled off-cycle governorship elections holding on 11th November, 2023.
He stressed that the Commission’s distasteful experience with fake news in the 2023 general election has shown that, if not nipped in the bud, it can become the bane of election management in Nigeria.
The national commissioner explained that disinformation is used to provoke religious, political and tribal sentiments in an already polarized society such as Nigeria, especially, during election season.
He identified the development as the leading cause of electoral violence and uprisings.
He stated: “The alarming prevalence of misinformation, ‘fake news’, hate speech, and the weaponization of disinformation has become very worrisome to the Commission.
“Disinformation is used to provoke religious, political, and tribal sentiments in an already polarized society such as ours, especially, during election season, which is often the leading cause of electoral violence and uprisings.
“Election-related disinformation has become a major strategy used by nefarious individuals and groups in the political space to manipulate the general public to their advantage, regardless of the consequential effect such propaganda may have on the peace and stability of the electoral process and the country at large.”
Ajayi appealed to the media to be objective and unbiased in their reportage, while avoiding fake news and inflammatory stories.
Nov 11 polls: INEC decries weaponisation of election-related misinformation