INEC Bans Staff From Social Media, Threatens Dismissal For Violations

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has forbidden members of its staff from sharing unauthorized official information about the commission to the public.

THE WHISTLER obtained a memo titled “unauthorized disclosure of official information” with reference number PE:CS/1001/I/27 which informed members of INEC staff that the commission had banned them from belonging to WhatsApp groups or social media groups where information about commission could be circulated.

The memo, which was first issued on August 31, 2018, was re-issued to INEC staff on October 18, 2019.

In the re-issued memo, INEC said it “observed with dismay that the incessant disclosure of official of information/fake news especially in the social media has not abated” despite “the commission’s directive to proscribe all existing WhatsApp groups or the establishment of any unauthorized groups.”

The memo which was signed by the secretary to the commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, threatened dismissal of defaulting staff.

It said, “This rather embarrassing action is inimical to the image of the commission and contravenes provisions of Section 3.04.2 (v), (vii), (xiii) of the INEC staff conditions of Service (2017)which attracts SUMMARY DISMISSAL in line with S.3.06.12 II (b) of the INEC staff conditions of Service (2017).

“Furthermore, any staff who posts or reports any official document, administrators of whatsapp groups wherein official information are circulated would be liable for posts on the platform. In line with S.3.05 (i) of INEC staff conditions of Service (2017) ‘it shall be the duty of every employee to report any unauthorized disclosure of official information that comes to his notice without delay of disciplinary proceeding’”.