Edo poll: INEC, others advise youths against electoral malpractices

The Independent National Electoral Commission, the National Orientation Agency and the National Youth Service Corps have advised the youths against being used for electoral malpractices.

The advice was given following the scheduled governorship election in Edo State on September 21, 2024.

At a one-day workshop organised by the electoral commission for youths in Benin, the state capital, on Tuesday, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Anugbum Onuoha, who was represented by the state’s INEC Administrative Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbodu, urged the youths to come out in large numbers for the governorship election.

Onuoha, who charged the youths to participate actively and positively in the election, noted that the engagement was to encourage the youths to participate in the electoral process.

He noted that INEC attaches a great value to youths’ participation in the electoral process.

He said, “INEC’s major goal of its partnership with the young people is to strategically position them to better appreciate their stake as an important demographic and player in public space, capable of meaningful contributions to the democratic advancement of the nation.”

In his goodwill message, the state’s NOA Director, Osahon Woghiren, said, “Some youths have been used as political thugs, being used to destroy electoral materials, vote buying among others.”

Woghiren said it was time the youths stopped being used negatively by the political class, urging them to shun all criminal tendencies and collaborate with INEC for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections.

The NYSC state director, Ifeoma Ben-Ushie Ifeoma, appealed to youths to avoid being used as agents of electoral malpractices or tools in electoral issues during elections.

INEC has released the final register of voters for the upcoming Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

The decision followed a meeting held by the commission on Tuesday, as contained in a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun.