INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu on Thursday reiterated that votes cast by the electorate would determine the outcome of the 2023 general elections.

Mr Yakubu, who spoke at the sixth annual conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), also called for the fight against fake news while speaking on ‘2023 Elections: Managing the Process for Credible Outcome’ in Lagos.

The INEC chief, who commended the leadership and membership of GOCOP for extending an invitation to him, said, “As the commission is doing its best to ensure a credible process, we also appeal to the media for continuous partnership. Managing the electoral process for credible outcome is the responsibility of all of us.”

He added, “As campaign activities get underway, the media will continue to play an important role. A lot of the activities will take place in the media, of which the new media is a critical player. We must continue to work together against the spread of fake news, misinformation and disinformation that seek to create or exacerbate tension or de-legitimise processes and outcomes.”

According to him, GOCOP must lead a network or alliance of stakeholders to curb fake news engineered by unpatriotic individuals.

“Fake news is a threat to national security, and all hands must be on deck to check it. Managing this process requires, in part, concerted efforts. We have noticed that your members have so far steered clear of fake news. We urge you to do more,” the INEC chairman stressed. “GOCOP should come out strongly in the battle against fake news, which is clearly a challenge to the electoral process going forward.”

(NAN)