By Gabriel Ameh
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has warned media organisations against declaring election results based on privately collated figures during the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan gave the warning on Tuesday in Abuja at a national stakeholders’ meeting organised to mark 100 days to the 2027 general election.
The INEC Chairman stressed that the legal authority to declare results in national elections rests exclusively with the Commission under the Electoral Act.
He urged journalists and media organisations to prioritise accuracy and responsible reporting during the election period, rather than rushing to announce results independently.
“Resist the declaration of privately collated results, because under the Electoral Act, the authority to declare results rests exclusively with the Commission in national elections,” Amupitan said.
He described the media as an important partner in the electoral process and reiterated a charge he recently gave members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Enugu.
According to him, it is more important for the media to be accurate than to be the first to announce election results.
The warning comes as INEC intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections and engages key stakeholders ahead of the polls.
Credit: Media360Impact Report
