Inside Nigeria
Publish Fake Election Results, Go To Jail, INEC Warns Media Professionals, Others
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned media professionals, accredited election observers and social media users against publishing results of the forthcoming elections not endorsed by the commission’s returning officers.
INEC National Commissioner, Mr Festus Okoye, who gave the warning on Friday in Awka, the Anambra State capital, at a sensitisation forum for the media on the 2019 general election, noted that announcing results were legally reserved for returning officers.
According to him, Section 123 (4) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) stated that any person who announces or publishes an election result knowing same to be false or which is at variance with the signed certificate of return commits an offence and is liable on conviction to 36 months imprisonment.
He called on media professionals to properly study the constitution and the Electoral Acts and apply them accordingly in their reportage to avoid misinforming the public who, he said, rely solely on the media for information.
“The constitution is the fundamental law of the land and all other laws are dependent and flow from its provisions. The Electoral Acts set out the procedure and processes for the conduct of elections in Nigeria and the third are the regulations and guidelines as well as the manuals issued by the INEC for the conduct of elections.
“Media managers must have good knowledge of the dynamics and nuances of the electoral processes. Media manager that does not have such knowledge is a danger to the electoral process and a danger to democracy,” Okoye said.
He warned media organisations and observers against violating the secrecy of the vote by attempting to record how a voter is voting or how the voter has voted even though they were allowed to polling units, collation centres and distribution centres.
The INEC National Commissioner, while soliciting for symbiotic relationship with the media for successful general election, said the commission was determined to conduct credible elections that meet international standards.
Okoye explained that the commission was not going to relent on arresting anyone caught going into the polling cubicle with a camera phone, because according to him, it aides vote selling and vote buying.
Speaking on INEC and voters education, Mr Victor Aluko, while stressing that men constitute highest number of registered voters in the country, urged eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) or risk not being allowed to vote at the election.
Earlier, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, represented by the commission’s Administrative Secretary, Mr Charles Ibanaga, enjoined social media users to be factual and objective in their political reportage and do away with fake news.
Anonymous
February 3, 2019 at 5:12 am
Correct the nepa bill result first on your table. Aturulistic government.
Anonymous
February 3, 2019 at 5:02 am
And election results ringing will destroy you,,
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 10:53 pm
And any Biafran citizen that go out to vote on 16th of February the blood of innocent Biafrans citizens been killed by the zoo Army’s will hunt u dead
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 9:51 pm
Which jail the person should be hanged, if he inec say hanging they will be serious.
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 9:45 pm
That means you will first go to jail
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 9:36 pm
Rig the election and regret being created.
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 9:19 pm
What and see, how credible are the ones from your inec
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 8:52 pm
Zombi
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 8:38 pm
Inec publish rig election results & Nigerians will deal with you & your staff & throw you in jail for life.
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 8:12 pm
If you rig our election jungle justice will put mouth
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 8:08 pm
Correct your Ekiti crime first!
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 7:50 pm
Inec publishe rigged one and we’ll clap for you
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 7:09 pm
Mad dog
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 7:08 pm
Rig the elections and you and your generation will be wiped out by Nigerians.
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 7:05 pm
Good
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 7:05 pm
At last INEC will still be the victim of such act, that was how it happens in Osun state elections.
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 6:49 pm
Rig the election and God will wipe away your generation.
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 6:38 pm
Another story..
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 6:31 pm
Rig the election and you will die
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 5:35 pm
who is this
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 1:59 pm
So also u
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 1:48 pm
Is dis buhari inec dat re well known in publishing fake result but I know dat dis time around u guys won’t get away with it because Atiku will declare himself president and form a government of national unity
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 1:33 pm
Is that a threat, if you rig the election you will not only face human punishment but eternal damnation.
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 12:53 pm
Bullshit. Publish doctored election results go to prison. BARAWO
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 12:48 pm
Propaganda…..
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 12:23 pm
In conjunction with Buhari’s plot to rig the election right. Which one will not be fake? That Buhari lost and you still went ahead to declare him winner of the presidential race? Well, the God that rules in the affairs of man is out for all you terrorists hired by Buhari to suit his selfish purpose and deliver Nigeria to Islamic State.
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 11:27 am
if you suport any party that rig the election God himself would jail you
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 11:24 am
Rig the elections you and ur generations will sufa
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 10:43 am
You too, rig the Election GOD will kill you,
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 10:11 am
Story story
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 9:57 am
What about your INEC officials that are being prepared to declare fake results, where are they going?
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 9:23 am
Watch and share Buhari’s History.https://www.facebook.com/daugembassyTV/videos/238546820173761/
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 9:23 am
Good one, What if you your platform, rig or side any candidate? what will happen, let me make it more elaborate, WHAT IF inec LET THE CABAL USE THEM TO RIG THIS MOST ANTICIPATED ELECTION, what will happen to INEC.?
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 9:18 am
STORY
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 9:07 am
Lolz, useless.
Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 8:59 am
See fool
Anonymous
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Anonymous
February 2, 2019 at 9:23 am
Watch and share Buhari’s History.https://www.facebook.com/daugembassyTV/videos/238546820173761/