INEC, others urge youths to be wary of electoral fraud

The Independent National Electoral Commission, the National Guidance Body and the National Youth Service have advised young people not to fall victim to electoral fraud.

The recommendation comes after the September 21, 2024 gubernatorial election in Edo State.

Speaking at a one-day workshop for youth groups organised by the Electoral Commission in Benin, the state capital, on Tuesday, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, represented by the Administrative Secretary of INEC in the state, Emmanuel Ogbodu, called on the youths to participate in the governorship election in large numbers.

Onuoha called on the youths to participate actively and positively in the elections, noting that the event was to encourage the youths to participate in the electoral process.

He noted that INEC attached great importance to the participation of youths in the electoral process.

“INEC’s main objective in engaging with the youths is to strategically empower them to better appreciate their interests as important demographics and actors in the public sphere, capable of making meaningful contributions to the country’s democratic progress,” he said.

The NOA director in the state, Osahon Woghiren, in his goodwill message said, “Some youths are being used as political thugs to destroy election materials, bribe votes, etc.”

Vogileng said it was time for the youths to stop being exploited by the political class, urging them to shun all criminal tendencies and work with INEC for free, fair and credible elections.

The President of the Supreme Court of the State, Ifeoma Ben-Ushie Ifeoma, has called on the youths to avoid being used as agents of electoral fraud or tools of electoral issues during the elections.

INEC has release The final voter registration roll for the upcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo States.

The decision came after the committee met on Tuesday and was contained in a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Committee on Information and Voter Education, Sam Olumekun.