Voter exclusion threatens democracy, youth forum tells INEC

The Unified Nigeria Youth Forum (UNYF) has raised alarm over the large number of Nigerians who are still unregistered and unable to vote.

The group urged the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, to make voter registration easier, transparent, and more accountable.

In a statement released on Monday, the forum’s National President, Comrade Toriah Olajide Filani, said the success of future elections depends on how accessible and inclusive the registration process becomes under INEC’s new leadership.

Filani lamented that millions of eligible Nigerians cannot get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) because of poor administration and limited registration centres across the country.

He added that while INEC has made some digital improvements, many people in rural areas still lack internet access, leaving them excluded.

“In Lagos, for example, people queue from as early as 2 a.m. to register but still go home without being attended to. This discourages participation and reduces trust in the system,” Filani said.

He expressed concern that in a country with almost 300 million people, fewer than 50 million registered voters actually take part in elections.

He called on INEC to create a more decentralised and citizen-friendly system for registration and PVC collection.

According to Filani, “credible elections start with an inclusive registration process that allows every eligible Nigerian to vote without stress or discrimination.”

Speaking on governance, Filani also reacted to the recent action of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who provided housing for judges.

While he commended the gesture as a sign of respect for the judiciary, he warned that such projects should be included in the national budget to ensure transparency and avoid public misunderstanding.

“Every act of governance must follow due process.

If the government plans to build houses for judges, it should be part of the budget to maintain trust and accountability,” he said.

Filani reaffirmed the forum’s commitment to supporting reforms that strengthen democracy, build public confidence, and make government more open and fair to all Nigerians.