INEC launches new shortcode to fight fake news

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has launched a new short code - 4623 to combat fake news, ahead of Saturday's presidential and National Assembly elections.

Festus Okoye, National Commissioner of INEC and Chairman of the Voter Information and Education Committee, said this when he received a donation of information technology facilities from the Community Life Project on Thursday (CLP) and the Ford Foundation in Abuja.

Okoye said the short code is part of the INEC Citizen Contact Center (ICCC) aimed at tackling fake news by giving authentic information to Nigerians. He called on Nigerians to use the short code to get authentic information from the commissions.

The National Commissioner promised that INEC would continue to open up and make information available to the media and members of the public.

"As highlighted, we have launched a short code 4632 which will allow citizens to contact the INEC Citizens contact center in real time and they will get a response.

"We want to appeal to the media and citizens to use these facilities so that they can get authentic information because we have a lot of misinformation and misinformation everywhere.

"Furthermore, we don't want Nigeria to be confused regarding electoral processes and electoral procedure," Okoye said.

He congratulated the CLP and the ford foundation for the donation, saying it will enable Nigerians to contact the commission in real time and also get responses in real time.

Okoye said computer facilities and gadgets were very important as Nigeria moved closer to February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections as information was powerful and essential in the electoral process.

“There is no doubt that Nigerians are touchy for information.

“The commission wishes to ensure that Nigerians are provided with authentic information that will enable them to make informed choices with regard to the electoral process and around the electoral process and electoral matters.

"This commission does not believe in any form of censorship. The chairman of the commission has repeatedly said that the antidote to fake news is openness and transparency.

“Thus, the commission is responsible for transparency and providing real information to Nigerians to enable them to make informed choices,” Okoye said.

CLP Program Manager, Mr. Francis Onahor, while introducing the facilities funded by the Ford Foundation, said that they would assist the commission in conducting the 2023 general election.

Onahor said the facilities provide the public with the ability to get real-time responses to inquiries, incident reports and questions about any aspect of the electoral process.

He said that the PLC has engaged with the INEC for more than a decade in promoting inclusion and popular participation in electoral integrity.

"The CLP considers that an efficient and effective ICCC is an essential element in making the voice of citizens heard at the Commission.

"We have no doubt that these facilities will contribute significantly to enhancing INEC's ability to resolve electoral incidents and provide citizens with better opportunities to exercise their right to vote.

“We commend the Commission for its commitment to using ICT to improve our electoral system and to facilitate the active participation of citizens in the management of election day,” Onahor said.

He also commended the management and staff of Interra Network Limited, who provided the services, for their professionalism and efficiency in setting up the ICCC IT facilities.< /p>

Representative of Interra Network Limited, Mr. Emeka Okafor, said that facilities have been put in place to enable citizens to contact INEC in real time.

"This is all part of INEC's ongoing efforts to integrate technology, provide access to Excel, and facilitate citizen access to authentic information.

He commended INEC and Nigeria Communications Technology and CLP for the partnership, saying the company looks forward to credible and peaceful elections.