The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, @rot1930 Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the role of social media and the INEC News platform at the forum for media executives in Benin City.

This forum is a key part of the broader preparations for the upcoming 2024 Edo State Governorship Election slated for September 21, 2024.

Mr. Oyekanmi began by outlining the fundamental functions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alongside the Commission’s Mission and Vision statements. He emphasized INEC’s commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible elections, ensuring that every vote counts in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

Central to his presentation was the discussion on the advantages of using social media to disseminate real-time information about electoral processes. He highlighted how platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube have become vital tools for INEC in engaging with the public, providing instant updates, and countering misinformation.

However, Mr. Oyekanmi also addressed the challenges that come with the use of social media. He spoke about the proliferation of fake news, which can spread rapidly on these platforms, causing confusion and undermining public trust in the electoral process. He noted that certain social media platforms impose restrictions on the amount of information that can be posted at a time, which can hinder comprehensive communication.

Mr. Oyekanmi encouraged media professionals to work closely with INEC to combat these challenges by verifying information before dissemination and using their platforms to promote accurate, unbiased reporting. He also urged the public to rely on official INEC channels for election-related news, highlighting the importance of the INEC News platform as a reliable source for all electoral updates.