INEC warns political actors against inflammatory statements ahead of 2027 elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Taraba State has urged political actors to refrain from inflammatory statements and resolve political grievances through established legal channels ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting focused on electoral readiness, Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) distribution, and inter-agency collaboration, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Taraba State, Sa’ad Umar Idris, urged political parties to adhere strictly to electoral rules.

Idris cautioned media organizations and civil society groups against spreading unverified reports, highlighting the risk that artificial intelligence tools could be used to generate synthetic media, fake news, and disinformation aimed at heightening political tensions.

"Such content could be deliberately circulated to inflame public sentiments and create tension among political supporters and communities," Idris warned.

Outlining operational steps toward the 2027 general elections, the REC disclosed that INEC is mapping polling units across the state to streamline logistics and voter access.

He added that the commission is preparing to conduct a mock accreditation exercise in November 2026 to test operational systems ahead of the polls.

To address transport challenges for electoral officials and sensitive materials, INEC is finalizing a partnership with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to ensure timely deployment across all local government areas.