Ugo Nosiri, Owerri
The Supervising Deputy Inspector General of Police for the Imo State governorship elections, DIG Frank Mbah, has called on civil society groups, the media and all election observers to ensure that every bit of information at their disposal are properly fact-checked before being pushed out to the public.
DIG Mbah made the appeal during a meeting with CSOs, the media and election observers at the Force headquarters in Owerri.
He said the meeting was necessary to discuss areas of concern, especially as it affects the security situation in the state, and to strengthen collaboration and partnership in ensuring credible elections in the state.
“You all know the damage that deliberate misinformation, disinformation and outright falsehood can do to the credibility of our electoral processes, the potential implications they could also have to the internal security.”
DIG Mba applauded the roles the CSOs contributed in improving transparency and integrity in past elections, and urged them not to hesitate to call the control room numbers to report burning issues and relevant information on security of the electoral system.
He gave the control room numbers as 08034773600 and 08098880197, and assured of the Force’s prompt response to any relevant information while concealing the identity of the caller.
Others present in the meeting include Acting Inspector General Of Police in charge of zone 9 Umuahia, AIG Echeng Echeng who is the second in command supervising the Imo elections; and the present Commissioner for Police Akwa-Ibom State, sent as CP Imo State for the purpose of the election.
