By Amos Ogunrinde
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has urged youths in Ekiti State to shun electoral violence, thuggery, misinformation, and vote trading ahead of the June 20 governorship election.
Speaking during an engagement with youth groups in Ado-Ekiti, Deputy Director of Inclusivity in INEC’s Gender Inclusivity Department, Habibat Abdulkareem Jato, highlighted the pivotal role young people play in determining electoral outcomes due to their numerical strength.
Mrs Abdulkareem-Jato called on youths to prioritise civic responsibility and peaceful conduct, stressing the importance of verifying information before sharing it.
She said, “My message is simple: vote, not violence. Youths should be objective in the messages they share about the election. They must act responsibly and take advantage of their demographic strength, as they represent the largest segment of the population.”
She added that young people must channel their influence towards promoting democratic values and active participation in the electoral process.
Mrs Abdulkareem-Jato also assured stakeholders of INEC’s readiness for the election, noting that the engagement forms part of efforts to ensure a smooth and credible poll.
She warned that youths often suffer the most consequences when involved in electoral violence.
Earlier, Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, described youths as critical stakeholders in the democratic process.
He noted that beyond voting, young people shape public opinion and can promote peaceful participation while safeguarding electoral integrity.
Dr Omoseyindemi said the engagement was designed to inform participants about electoral processes and address their concerns to ensure a credible, inclusive, and peaceful election.
“We have observed in previous electoral cycles the recruitment of youths for political thuggery and disruption of polling processes, particularly in flashpoint areas and during result collation,” he said.
He also warned against the spread of misinformation and fake news capable of inciting panic and voter apathy.
“As we approach the governorship election, I urge all youth groups to demonstrate leadership by rejecting violence, misinformation, vote trading, and any form of electoral malpractice,” he added.
Also speaking, Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Ekiti State, Oluwakemi Akomolede, called on youths to act responsibly in safeguarding the integrity of the election.
Mrs Akomolede disclosed that over 65 per cent of registered voters in Ekiti are under the age of 45, describing them as a decisive force capable of shaping the outcome of the poll.
Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle
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