The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, SAN, has drawn attention to the growing challenge of misinformation and the misuse of emerging technologies to spread false narratives capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process.

He spoke on Thursday during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the Arewa Youth Forum (AYF), led by its Board of Trustees Chairman, Alhaji Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, to him at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja.

Amupitan urged citizens to rely on verified information from official Commission channels and other credible sources.

He said the active involvement of young people and civic organisations remains critical to the growth and sustainability of the country’s democracy.

The Chairman of INEC expressed appreciation for the visit and the Forum’s commitment to strengthening democratic governance in Nigeria.

Prof. Amupitan briefed the delegation on the Commission’s preparations for forthcoming elections, including efforts aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, improving operational efficiency and deepening stakeholder engagement.

While welcoming the Forum’s proposal for collaboration, he directed the Voter Education and Publicity Department to engage with the group with a view to exploring areas of partnership that would strengthen voter education efforts, particularly at the grassroots level.

He thanked the delegation for its constructive engagement and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to conducting credible, transparent and inclusive elections in line with its constitutional mandate.

Speaking during the visit, Alhaji Gujungu pledged its support for INEC, commending the Commission’s efforts in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process and expressing its readiness to collaborate on voter education and civic mobilisation ahead of future elections.

He reaffirmed the Forum’s confidence in the Commission and its determination to promote public trust in the electoral process. He commended INEC for its resilience in conducting elections and acknowledged improvements in election management, logistics and the deployment of technology to enhance electoral credibility.

According to him, the Forum would continue to advocate for objective assessment of the Commission’s activities and discourage attempts to undermine public confidence in the nation’s electoral institution through misinformation and politically motivated narratives.

The AYF also proposed a strategic partnership with the Commission in the areas of voter education and civic engagement. The Forum offered to mobilise its extensive youth network across Northern Nigeria to support grassroots sensitisation programmes aimed at encouraging informed participation in elections, promoting peaceful conduct and discouraging electoral malpractice.

In addition, the delegation proposed establishing a structured feedback mechanism to document and share observations from polling units and election stakeholders with the Commission, supporting continuous improvement in election administration.

The visit concluded with a renewed commitment by both parties to work together in promoting civic participation, voter awareness and public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process. (Nigerian Tribune)