Former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega has urged the Federal Government to proffer stiffer laws against declaration of fake election results.
Jega spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at an international conference, tagged: “Democracy and disinformation: How fake news threatens our freedom and democracy in Nigeria”.
The conference was organised by CDD with support from Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and MacArthur Foundation, ahead of 2019 elections.
He said the issue of fake news had become a threat to Nigeria’s democracy and should be immediately curbed.
Jega said: “The declaration of results and fake news on the social media is being done with impunity in our country.
“We need to review some of the regulations to make stiffer rules for implementation to curb this act.”
Jega added that with the 2019 general elections around the corner, there was need to act fast to curtail the spread of fake news.
INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said the commission was battling with the issue of fake news.
Yakubu, who was represented by INEC National Commissioner Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu, said the commission is engaging in voter education to sensitise the electorate to its operations.
On the attitude of some political parties towards the commission, he said: “It is funny how political parties fluctuate in praising INEC; most times, it depends of how they win.
“If parties win elections, they will praise INEC, claiming it conducted the best election ever.
“It will amaze you to know that the same political party that praised INEC in 2015 because it won, is the same party condemning it now.”
He promised that INEC would keep embarking on rigorous electorate sensitisation to enable them know their rights and protect them from hazards of fake news.