The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deepen transparency, accountability and public confidence as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.

The call was made during GOCOP’s 10th Annual Conference held in Lagos with the theme: “2027 Elections: Trust, Transparency and Shared Responsibilities.”

President of GOCOP, Mr Danlami Nmodu, said credible elections could only be achieved through cooperation among electoral authorities, political parties, the media, government institutions and citizens.

He stressed that the responsibility of protecting democracy extends beyond INEC and requires collective commitment from all stakeholders.

“Our duty as journalists is to put the spotlight on those in government as well as the opposition. We must report facts and be fair and balanced,” Nmodu said.

Media Must Help Protect Electoral Integrity

Nmodu urged journalists and online publishers to maintain professional standards by prioritising accuracy, fairness and public interest reporting.

He warned that misinformation during election periods could damage confidence in democratic institutions and create unnecessary tension.

The GOCOP president also appealed to government authorities to address insecurity and economic challenges, noting that peaceful elections require a stable environment where citizens can participate freely.

He called for stronger collaboration between government agencies and media organisations to protect journalists and support responsible reporting.

INEC Announces Preparations for 2027 Polls

Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, said the electoral body had intensified preparations for the 2027 elections through administrative, technological and logistical reforms.

Represented by Prof. Ayobami Salami, Lagos Resident Electoral Commissioner, Amupitan said INEC had completed three phases of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.

According to him, more than 10.6 million new voters were captured during the registration process, increasing the national voter database to about 103 million registered voters.

He announced that nationwide distribution of newly produced Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would begin on Oct. 9, 2026.

The INEC chairman urged media organisations to assist in educating voters and encouraging registered citizens to collect their cards.

INEC Upgrades Election Technology

Amupitan said the commission had improved its electoral technology systems ahead of the 2027 elections.

He listed key measures including: upgrading the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), auditing election technology equipment nationwide, improving electronic transmission of polling-unit results, strengthening cybersecurity protection for electoral databases.

He said INEC had introduced additional cybersecurity measures, including artificial intelligence-based monitoring tools and enhanced digital security systems.

The commission, he added, had also started early procurement of election materials and operational vehicles to reduce logistical difficulties during the polls.

Warning Against Fake News and AI Deepfakes

The INEC chairman cautioned online publishers against spreading unverified information, fake news and artificial intelligence-generated misinformation.

He urged journalists to verify information before publication, especially during the election season.

“Speed must never surpass accuracy. Being fast with a false story is a costly failure; being accurate with a verified fact is public service,” he said.

Amupitan also reminded Nigerians that only legally authorised electoral officials have the power to announce official election results.

He said individuals and organisations could provide analysis and projections but should not present unofficial figures as official results.

GOCOP Calls for Policy-Based Election Campaigns

Chairman of GOCOP, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, said the organisation’s goal was not to attack INEC but to support the delivery of free, fair and credible elections.

He described Nigerians as key stakeholders in democracy and encouraged citizens to actively participate in the electoral process.

Agbakoba identified the rising cost of living as one of the major issues expected to shape the 2027 election debate.

He urged presidential candidates to clearly explain their positions on critical economic issues, including: fuel pricing, crude oil management, subsidy policies, economic reforms.

He also challenged media organisations to focus more on policies affecting citizens rather than concentrating mainly on political defections and party movements.

Debate Over Exit Polls and Election Projections

Agbakoba raised concerns about the legal position regarding election exit polls and projections by media organisations.

He questioned whether publishing such information could conflict with provisions of Nigeria’s electoral laws.

He called for proper legal interpretation of the issue, balancing electoral regulations with constitutional rights relating to information and freedom of expression.