ARISE News Stands By Report On Lagos Voters’ Register, Rejects INEC’s Denial

ARISE News Stands By Report On Lagos Voters’ Register, Rejects INEC’s Denial

ARISE News Stands By Report On Lagos Voters’ Register, Rejects INEC’s Denial

A significant public disagreement has emerged between ARISE News and Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over the accessibility and public display of the voters’ register in Lagos State.

At the heart of the controversy is a fundamental question about electoral transparency, public accountability, and citizens’ right to verify their registration details ahead of future elections. [arise.tv], [vanguardngr.com]

According to ARISE News, its reporting was based on independent field verification and direct observations regarding the display of the voters’ register in parts of Lagos State.

The broadcaster stated that it received a formal response from the Lagos office of INEC, which categorically denied the station’s earlier report and maintained that the register had been displayed across all 245 registration areas, including the local government areas of Alimosho and Shomolu. [arise.tv], [vanguardngr.com]

Despite acknowledging INEC’s right to present its own version of events, ARISE News firmly rejected the commission’s denial and reaffirmed confidence in its journalism.

The broadcaster emphasized that its findings were not based on hearsay, social media commentary, or unverified allegations, but rather on what it described as independent on-the-ground verification. [arise.tv], [thenigerialawyer.com]

A major component of ARISE News’ argument concerns the status of the official INEC portal at the time of its investigation. The station reported that, when its verification was conducted, the portal displayed a message indicating that there were no preliminary registers available for public display. This, according to the broadcaster, raised concerns about the accessibility of the voters’ register to members of the public seeking to verify their details. [arise.tv], [thenigerialawyer.com]

The broadcaster also highlighted conditions it reportedly observed in Alimosho. According to ARISE News, access to the register was available only upon request during specified hours, reportedly between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., and individuals were permitted to check only their own names.

The station argued that such an arrangement falls short of the open public display contemplated under Section 19 of the Electoral Act, which it cited in defense of its reporting. [arise.tv], [thenigerialawyer.com]

On the other hand, INEC strongly rejected the allegations. Through a statement issued by its Lagos State office, the commission described claims that the voters’ register was not displayed in some registration centres as false. INEC insisted that the exercise was conducted throughout all 245 registration areas in Lagos State, including the locations specifically mentioned in the media reports.

The commission further urged citizens to rely on its official communication channels and encouraged journalists to verify information with authoritative sources before publication. [vanguardngr.com], [nigerianey...spaper.com]

What makes this dispute particularly important is that it extends beyond a disagreement over facts. It touches on public trust in democratic institutions. Voter register displays are a crucial part of the electoral process because they allow citizens to confirm their registration status, identify errors, and ensure the integrity of electoral records before voting takes place. Any perception that access is limited, delayed, or insufficiently publicized can generate concerns about transparency.

Conversely, inaccurate reporting about such processes can also undermine public confidence in electoral administration. [arise.tv], [vanguardngr.com]

Notably, while standing by its report, ARISE News conceded that INEC may have subsequently corrected any shortcomings that existed at the time of its investigation.

Nevertheless, the broadcaster maintained that the issues it observed were genuine and that the public had a right to know about them. It concluded by calling on the electoral commission to ensure that citizens in every ward have full and open access to the voters’ register, emphasizing that such access should be a right rather than a privilege granted only upon request. [arise.tv], [thenigerialawyer.com]

Ultimately, the controversy presents two competing narratives. INEC maintains that the voters’ register was properly displayed across Lagos State, while ARISE News insists that its field investigation uncovered real access-related shortcomings.

The episode underscores the continuing importance of vigilant journalism, transparent electoral administration, and prompt public communication in safeguarding confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process. [arise.tv], [vanguardngr.com]