INEC Chairman Warns Against Danger of Hate Speech in Electoral Process

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, has issued a stern warning on the peril of hate speech within the electoral process.

The caution came during the iVerify project launch organized by the International Press Centre in Abuja.

Represented by the Acting Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Yakubu emphasized that hate speech poses a significant threat to social peace and the democratic principles of equality.

He outlined key dangers, including the undermining of democratic values, disruption of social cohesion, incitement of violence and intolerance, undermining political discourse, and eroding trust in institutions.

Yakubu highlighted that hate speech contradicts democratic values by targeting individuals based on race, religion, ethnicity, gender, and other characteristics.

He expressed concern about the potential for hate speech to fuel social division and escalate tension within communities.

Furthermore, he stressed the risk of hate speech inciting violence and discrimination against specific groups, disrupting the peaceful conduct of elections.

Yakubu also pointed out that hate speech can divert attention from substantive discussions on policies and undermine public trust in democratic institutions.

Addressing the rising challenge of information disorder, Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, underscored the need for intensified efforts against disinformation, misinformation, mal-information, and hate speech.

Arogundade emphasized the necessity for journalists to undergo capacity building in fact-checking electoral information and democratic processes.

He advocated for media literacy promotion and public engagement in enlightenment, along with collaborative efforts to create an environment conducive to credible information dissemination.

Arogundade urged journalists to act as detectives of disinformation, employing fact-checking tools and avoiding political biases to present factual information to the public.

In conclusion, Arogundade emphasized the crucial role of media literacy in combating disinformation, asserting that educating journalists and the public is essential for achieving effective results in curbing the spread of false information.