2027: Equip yourselves with election processes to avoid litigation – INEC tasks journalists
The Kaduna State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Saidu Ahmed, has charged journalists to understand the various stages leading to the 2027 general elections to ensure accurate and responsible reporting. Ahmed said journalists should familiarise themselves with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and understand the processes…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kaduna State has urged journalists to familiarize themselves with the electoral process leading up to the 2027 general elections to ensure accurate and responsible reporting. Prof. Saidu Ahmed, the Kaduna State Resident Electoral Commissioner, made this appeal during a retreat organized by the Kano State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Ahmed emphasized that journalists play a crucial role in shaping public perception and can either contribute to nation-building or undermine national cohesion through their reporting.
The REC highlighted the importance of understanding the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, which introduced significant changes affecting the conduct and reporting of the 2027 general elections. Notable amendments include the mandatory use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the requirement for electronic transmission of polling-unit results. The Electoral Act 2026 also prohibits indirect voting in party primaries, mandating parties to adopt direct primaries or consensus.
Key legal provisions include Section 47, which mandates the use of BVAS, Section 60(6), which prescribes penalties for presiding officers obstructing electronic result transmission, and Section 62(9), which imposes severe punishment for returning or collating false results. These legal changes could lead to pre-election litigation, making it essential for journalists to understand the process and adhere to the new legal framework.
Ahmed advised journalists to rely on INEC’s official communication channels, such as statements from the INEC Chairman, National Commissioner, and Resident Electoral Commissioner, to avoid publishing unverified information. He warned against treating messages, posts, or photographs from individual INEC staff or political party agents as official statements, as these are not representative of the commission.
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