BY TAIBAT UMMI YAKUBU
The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen transparency, credibility and public trust ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, warning that confidence in the electoral process will be crucial to the success of the polls.
The call was made on Thursday at GOCOP’s 10th Annual Conference in Lagos, where media leaders, election officials and stakeholders gathered to examine the challenges and expectations surrounding the next general election.
Speaking at the event themed “2027 Elections: Trust, Transparency and Shared Responsibilities,” GOCOP President, Danlami Nmodu, said credible elections could only be achieved when all stakeholders including INEC, political parties, the media, government institutions and citizens,play their roles responsibly.
He stressed that politicians must focus on improving the welfare of Nigerians rather than pursuing power alone, while journalists should remain committed to factual, balanced and responsible reporting.
According to Nmodu, the media has a duty to hold both the government and opposition accountable, insisting that fairness and accuracy remain the cornerstone of credible journalism, especially during election periods.
The GOCOP president also urged the Federal Government to address insecurity, promote peace and create an enabling environment for economic growth, arguing that citizens need opportunities to work, invest and thrive.
He called for stronger collaboration between government agencies, media organisations and GOCOP to ensure the safety of journalists and protect press freedom as the country moves closer to another major electoral cycle.
In response, INEC revealed that preparations for the 2027 elections were already gathering momentum, with the commission implementing a series of reforms aimed at boosting efficiency and public confidence.
Represented by the Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Ayobami Salami, the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the electoral body had introduced structural, technological and logistical improvements to strengthen election management across the country.
He disclosed that three phases of continuous voter registration had already been completed, resulting in the addition of more than 10.6 million new voters.
According to him, Nigeria’s voter register has now exceeded 103 million registered voters following data verification and synchronisation exercises.
INEC also announced that the collection of newly produced Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would begin nationwide on October 9, urging media organisations and online publishers to help mobilise registered voters to pick up their cards.
The commission further revealed that it had upgraded the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and commenced nationwide audits of the devices to ensure they are fully functional before deployment.
INEC said it was also enhancing its result-transmission technology to enable polling-unit results to be uploaded and made available on public viewing platforms immediately after counting.
To protect the integrity of the electoral process, the commission disclosed that advanced cybersecurity measures, including artificial intelligence auditing tools and stronger digital firewalls, had been deployed to secure electoral databases against manipulation and cyber threats.
The electoral body added that procurement of non-sensitive election materials and acquisition of operational vehicles had commenced early to avoid the logistical difficulties experienced in previous elections.
INEC, however, cautioned online publishers and media organisations against the growing threat of fake news, misinformation, deepfakes and sensational reporting capable of undermining public trust in the electoral process.
The commission stressed that accuracy must take precedence over speed, warning that the rush to publish unverified stories could damage democratic institutions and mislead voters.
It also reminded stakeholders that only constitutionally recognised returning officers have the authority to officially declare election results, noting that individuals or organisations can only offer analysis, opinions or projections.
Earlier, GOCOP Chairman, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, said the organisation’s goal was not to criticise INEC but to contribute ideas that would help strengthen the credibility of future elections.
Agbakoba urged Nigerians to see themselves as active stakeholders in the democratic process and participate fully in elections rather than treating election day as a public holiday.
He argued that economic hardship and the rising cost of living would likely dominate political debates ahead of the 2027 elections and challenged presidential hopefuls to clearly explain their positions on fuel prices, crude oil management and subsidy-related policies.
The senior lawyer also called on the media to shift greater attention from political defections and party intrigues to policy issues that directly affect citizens’ lives.
He further raised concerns about the legal implications of publishing election projections and exit polls, suggesting that the matter deserves judicial and constitutional examination to clarify the boundaries between electoral regulations and freedom of information.
The conference, which continues in Lagos, brought together media executives, online publishers, legal experts and election stakeholders to discuss ways of strengthening public trust and ensuring a transparent electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!