INEC urges media to maintain professionalism, counter misinformation, and mobilise voters for FCT Area Council elections on Feb. 21
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on media organisations to uphold professionalism and assist in mobilising voters ahead of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections scheduled for February 21.
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The appeal was made on Tuesday in Abuja by Mohammed Haruna, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, during a forum for media executives, producers, and reporters.
Haruna advised journalists to study Nigeria’s electoral laws and adhere strictly to the Media Code of Conduct for Election Coverage.
“Your coverage of the elections should be informed by a grasp of the country’s constitution, Electoral Law and the Commission’s Rules and Guidelines, which have the force of law,” he said.
He added that integrity and fairness should guide reporting, stressing that biases must never compromise objectivity.
On the commission’s preparations, Haruna confirmed that 10 out of 13 key election activities had been completed.
The remaining steps include the publication of the notice of poll on February 7, the end of political campaigns on February 19, and election day on February 21.
He noted that sensitive materials such as ballot papers and result sheets would be distributed from the FCT branch of the Central Bank on February 18, in the presence of party agents, civil society organisations, security personnel, and the media.
Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines are being configured for deployment, and the commission pledged to ensure a free, fair, and credible election.
Haruna also reminded media organisations that the portal for accreditation would close on February 8.
INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for the FCT, Malam Aminu Idris, emphasised the importance of a responsible and ethical media, noting that public confidence in elections is shaped by accurate reporting.
He disclosed that Danbaki Titus had been approved as the replacement APC candidate in Igu Ward, Bwari Area Council, following the death of Zachariah Danbaki.
A mock accreditation exercise is scheduled in 289 polling units to test technology before the polls.
FCT currently has 1,680,315 registered voters, though elections will not hold in four polling units with no registered voters.
To ease voting, the commission approved the decongestion of large Registration Area Centres in Dutse Alhaji, Kubwa, Gwarinpa, and Kabusa wards.
In a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Grace Ike, urged journalists to prioritise verification and professionalism.
“Elections are not won only at polling units; elections are also won and lost within the information space,” she said, warning that misinformation could undermine public trust and threaten peace.
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Ike also called for the safety of journalists and their equipment, pledging that NUJ would not tolerate harassment, intimidation, or denial of access.
