The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has cautioned broadcasting stations in Nigeria to stop declaring election results.

It said such power is only within the jurisdiction of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The commission ordered all broadcasting stations to end all partisan political programmes by 11:59 pm on Thursday 23 February, 2023.

Director of Broadcast Monitoring, NBC,Francisca Aiyetan, who conveyed the order in a statement,reiterated that stations can announce the result only after a formal announcement of the results has been made by the electoral umpire himself.

Reaffirming how stringent the order is,the regular implored all broadcasters not to flaunt the order. It, therefore, challenged them to ensure adherence to the ethics and codes of the commission by stopping every commercial on their stations 24 hours prior to election day.

“The National Broadcasting Commission wishes to underscore the enormous responsibility trust on Broadcasters at this period and therefore calls for strict adherence to the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and the Electoral Act in order to ensure a sane airwave that will enable a free, fair, credible and transparent Election,” NBC added.

It also stated that no station is allowed to broadcast any political campaign or advertisement on its facilities 24 hours preceding polling day or on polling day.

It added:“The Broadcaster shall not use any vote obtained at a polling station or from exit poll, to project or speculate on the chances of a candidate. The Broadcaster shall relay Election Results or declaration of the winner only as announced by the authorised Electoral Officer for the election.”