ARISE News reaffirms the accuracy of its report on the public display of the voters’ register in Lagos State, rejecting a denial issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and insisting that its findings were based on independent, on-the-ground verification.
ARISE NEWS RESPONSE TO INEC LAGOS STATEMENT
ARISE News has received a press statement from INEC Lagos State categorically denying our report aired Thursday morning on What’s Trending and stating that the display of the Register of Voters was conducted across all two hundred and forty-five registration areas in Lagos State, including Alimosho and Shomolu.
We take note of INEC’s response and we respect the commission’s right to provide its own account.
However, ARISE News stands by its report. Our findings were based on independent on-ground verification, not social media posts or unverified claims.
At the time of our confirmation on Tuesday, the INEC portal displayed a message stating there are currently no preliminary registers to display.
In the Alimosho area, our investigation revealed the register was strictly available on request between 9AM and 3PM and residents were only allowed to check for their own names which falls short of the open public display required under Section 19 of the Electoral Act.
ARISE News acknowledges that INEC may have since rectified the situation and we welcome that. But the issues we reported were real and the public deserves to know.
We remain committed to responsible accurate and independent journalism and we call on INEC to ensure that every Nigerian in every ward has full and open access to the voters’ register as required by law; not access by request but access by right.
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