We need stiffer punishment for those who declare fake election results –Attahiru Jega

A former Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has urged the Federal Government to proffer
stiffer laws against the declaration of fake election results. Jega made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at an international conference with “Democracy and Disinformation: How Fake News Threatens our Freedom and Democracy in Nigeria,’’ as a theme.

He said that the issue of fake news had become a threat to Nigeria’s democracy and should be immediately curbed. He 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.

On his part, Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said that the commission was battling with the issue of fake news. Represented by Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu, a National Commissioner in the commission, Yakubu said that INEC engaged in voter education to sensitise the electorate to its operations.

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