INEC: We Can’t Expose Sensitive Materials Used in 2019 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that despite its policy to be transparent, some of the materials used in the election are sensitive and cannot be exposed.

The Chairman of the commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at the 2019 Press Freedom Award, organised by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Yakubu who was represented by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Festus Okoye, also cautioned against the dangers of fake news, and especially its destabilisation power on the society.

The chairman noted that it is challenging dealing with deliberate misinformation, especially information relating to the intentions of the commission, saying its processes could be difficult to communicate.

He stated: “The issue of fake news is now a big issue. It is now difficult to filter fake news and real news. The tragedy is that in a society where rumour- mongering is a big national challenge, fake news can destabilise the society and lead to complete breakdown of law and order .

“It is also challenging dealing with deliberate misinformation. Information relating to the intentions of the commission and its processes can be very difficult to communicate. While it is the policy of the commission to be transparent, some of the materials used in the election are sensitive and cannot be exposed,” Yakubu explained.

Yakubu stressed that the media must see the commission as a critical national treasure and strive to support it , and where necessary, criticise it in a constructive and not in a destructive manner.

The INEC chairman also explained the differences between the INEC and the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), noting that many people in the past have used the two interchangeably and thus, confusing their roles.

He said that the media must therefore be abreast and knowledgeable of the statutory role of the INEC and SIEC, adding that often, the media group and organisations use both interchangeably and confuse the role and place of both institutions in the electoral process.

“Sometimes, when people are reporting about the SIEC, they report as if they are reporting the INEC. The only nexus between the SIEC and INEC is the fact that the voter register that is used in the conduct of local government elections is the same voter register that INEC compiled.

“So, the constitution and the law obligate the INEC to hand over the voter register to the SIEC for them to use in the conduct of local government election. Other than that there is no nexus between what the SIEC does and what INEC does at the national level,” he added.