INEC warns against ‘rig and die’ rhetoric, pledges penalties for electoral offenders

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has criticized the use of the “rig and die” slogan by certain political actors in the run-up to the 2027 general elections, cautioning that such language may expose election staff and other Nigerians to the risk of violence. Mohammed Kudu Haruna, an INEC national commissioner who chairs the commission's Information and Voter Education Committee, gave the warning at a forum in Enugu attended by journalists and media executives from the South-East, South-South and South-West. Haruna said threats and inflammatory rhetoric could place presiding officers, temporary election workers, party agents and observers in danger. He advised anyone who disputes an election result to pursue lawful options, such as filing complaints with INEC or security agencies and taking the matter to court. He also stated that electoral officials, including ad hoc staff, would face legal consequences if they are found to have compromised the process. Haruna appealed for stronger collaboration between INEC and the media in support of peaceful, transparent and credible elections, noting that public trust in the process depends heavily on accurate, fair and professional reporting. He cautioned journalists against spreading unverified results or manipulated videos, publishing sensational stories and amplifying inflammatory political statements. He further warned against announcing results too early or presenting projections as official figures. “Results are declared only by the Commission through its duly appointed returning officers. Projections and unofficial figures must be clearly labelled as such,” he said. Haruna encouraged journalists to confirm allegations concerning INEC through its official channels before publication and to report electoral incidents with sensitivity. Reporting, he said, should make clear the difference between events journalists witnessed directly and accounts drawn from other sources. He also called for more coverage of the obstacles women, young people and persons with disabilities encounter when taking part in elections, and urged media organisations to broaden voter education on Permanent Voter Cards, accreditation procedures, electronic transmission of results and peaceful participation in the polls.