On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, the Daily Trust Foundation, Abuja, in collaboration with the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos, trained about 70 journalists on the role of the media in implementing the amended Electoral Act 2026. The training, held via Zoom, was part of efforts to strengthen electoral reporting ahead of the 2027 general elections, focused on equipping journalists with the knowledge and skills required to interpret and disseminate accurate information about the new electoral framework.
The facilitators, Dr. Sam Oguche of Yiaga Africa and Barrister Nkiru Uzodi, took participants through the provisions of the Act, highlighting key innovations such as stricter timelines for candidate nominations, mandatory digital membership registers, and electronic transmission of results. They emphasized that journalists must play a proactive role in monitoring compliance, educating citizens, and combating misinformation to safeguard electoral integrity.
In their introductory remarks, Dr. Theophilus Abbah of the Daily Trust Foundation and Mr. Lanre Arogundade of IPC stressed that journalists must thoroughly understand the Electoral Act to properly report, interpret, and editorialise on electoral matters. They noted that the credibility of the 2027 elections would depend not only on the law itself but also on how effectively the media informs and educates the public about its provisions.
The training underscored the importance of professionalism, accuracy, and ethical responsibility in election coverage. Participants were urged to avoid partisan reporting, verify information before publication, and strengthen fact-checking practices to counter disinformation. With Nigeria’s next general elections expected to be the most digitally influenced in the country’s history, the organisers reiterated that the media’s role in ensuring transparency and public confidence in the electoral process is more critical than ever.
Role of Journalist in Implementing the 2026 Electoral Act
To ensure the effective implementation of the Electoral Act 2026 in Nigeria, journalists must embrace their role as custodians of accurate information and watchdogs of democracy. The Act introduces significant reforms—such as stricter timelines for candidate nominations, mandatory digital membership registers, and enhanced monitoring powers for INEC—that require clear public understanding. Journalists must therefore prioritize accuracy over speed, ensuring that every report on voter registration, party primaries, and election procedures is factually correct and accessible to citizens.
One of the presentations says, “The media remains a critical partner in electoral governance through accurate reporting, voter education, fact-checking, and the promotion of informed public discourse.” This means journalists must resist sensationalism and instead focus on clarity and precision in their reporting.
Equally important is the responsibility of journalists to educate the public about the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. Many reforms—such as the abolition of indirect primaries, stricter party registration requirements, and electronic transmission of results—are technical in nature and may be misunderstood by ordinary voters. Journalists must break down these complex legal provisions into simple, relatable language that empowers citizens to understand their rights and responsibilities. By doing so, they help prevent confusion and misinformation, which could otherwise undermine confidence in the electoral process. As highlighted in the presentation, the media should help citizens understand “electoral laws, voting rights, election procedures, electoral reforms, and the role of election stakeholders.”
Ultimately, journalists must recognize that credible elections are not secured by law alone but by informed citizens and responsible institutions.
Monitoring political actors and institutions is another critical duty. Journalists must scrutinize the conduct of political parties, candidates, and INEC to ensure compliance with the Act. For instance, Section 77 requires parties to submit digital membership registers, while Section 29 imposes strict timelines for candidate submissions. Journalists should investigate and report whether parties are meeting these obligations, thereby holding them accountable to the law. Similarly, monitoring campaign financing, vote buying, and electoral violence is essential to expose malpractice and deter violations. The presentation emphasizes that the media should “scrutinize political parties, candidates, electoral institutions, campaign financing, and election conduct,” underscoring the watchdog role of journalism in safeguarding democracy.
In the digital age, combating misinformation and disinformation is perhaps the most urgent task for journalists. The 2027 elections are projected to be the most digitally influenced in Nigeria’s history, with risks posed by artificial intelligence, deepfakes, and manipulated videos. Journalists must therefore adopt rigorous verification practices, relying on official sources and fact-checking tools before publishing election-related content. The presentation warns that “accuracy must always take precedence over speed,” a principle that should guide journalists in resisting the temptation to amplify rumours or unverified claims. Prompt correction of inaccuracies is equally vital to maintain public trust and credibility.
Ethical considerations must also guide journalists in their reporting. The Electoral Act 2026 can only be implemented effectively if the media maintains fairness, balance, and professionalism. Journalists must avoid partisan reporting, inflammatory language, and the publication of unverified results. Upholding professional ethics ensures that the media itself does not become a source of electoral instability. The credibility of the media is itself a component of electoral credibility. This means that journalists must act as neutral arbiters, committed to truth and accuracy, rather than as participants in political battles.
To strengthen their capacity, media organisations should establish dedicated election desks and invest in regular training for journalists on electoral law and reporting standards. Fact-checking units must be expanded to counter the growing threat of digital disinformation, while collaboration between INEC and media organisations should be enhanced to ensure timely access to official information. Journalists should also develop protocols for reporting AI-generated content and deepfakes, ensuring that the public is not misled by manipulated digital material. These institutional measures will equip journalists with the tools and knowledge needed to fulfill their responsibilities under the Electoral Act 2026.
Ultimately, journalists must recognize that credible elections are not secured by law alone but by informed citizens and responsible institutions. The information published today will shape public confidence in the results announced tomorrow. By informing, educating, monitoring, and combating misinformation, journalists play a decisive role in ensuring that the Electoral Act 2026 achieves its purpose of strengthening electoral integrity, transparency, and accountability.
The credibility of the 2027 General Elections will not be determined on election day alone. It is being shaped even before the polls, in our newsrooms, political parties, institutions, courtrooms, and digital platforms.” Journalists, therefore, must rise to the challenge of shaping a democratic future built on truth and accuracy.
Journalists’ Checklist for Implementing the Electoral Act 2026
1. Accuracy in Reporting
- Verify all information before publication.
- Rely on official sources (INEC, courts, political parties).
- Correct inaccuracies promptly to maintain credibility.
2. Public Education
- Simplify complex provisions of the Act for citizens.
- Explain voter registration requirements (birth certificate, passport, NIN).
- Clarify timelines for primaries, candidate submissions, and election notices.
3. Monitoring Compliance
- Track whether parties submit digital membership registers (Section 77).
- Report on adherence to timelines for candidate nominations (Section 29).
- Scrutinize campaign financing, vote buying, and electoral violence.
4. Combating Disinformation
- Use fact-checking tools to debunk fake election results, deepfakes, and manipulated videos.
- Avoid amplifying rumours or partisan propaganda.
- Develop newsroom protocols for handling AI-generated content.
5. Ethical Standards
- Maintain fairness, balance, and objectivity.
- Avoid partisan reporting and inflammatory language.
- Uphold professional ethics to strengthen electoral credibility.
6. Capacity Building
- Establish dedicated election desks in media houses.
- Provide regular training on electoral law and reporting standards.
- Strengthen fact-checking units and collaborate with INEC for timely updates.
7. Citizen Engagement
- Intensify public enlightenment programmes before the 2027 elections.
- Encourage informed participation by explaining voting procedures and reforms.
- Highlight the role of citizens in sustaining electoral integrity.
Both Daily Trust Foundation and IPC promised to provide journalists with more capacity-building opportunities before the 2027 general elections.
