Underage voter registration claim in Osun false – INEC

By Olajide Idowu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun has denied a social media report alleging that it registered underage persons in school uniforms as voters at its Ede North Local Government office in the state.

This is contained in a statement issued by the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Mutiu Agboke, on Monday in Osogbo.

Agboke said the post circulating on Facebook, alleging that underage persons dressed in school uniforms were registered as voters in the area on Feb. 6, was untrue.

“The Commission wishes to categorically refute this allegation as false and misleading.

“While it is correct that some students of YTD Grammar School, Ojoro, Ede, Osun State, in uniforms were brought to the INEC Ede North Local Government Office on the said date, they were brought with the intention of registering them as voters.

“However, the Electoral Officer and other officials on duty, acting in strict compliance with the law, refused them entry into the office premises.

“Consequently, no underage person was registered,” he said.

He said that, in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022, only Nigerian citizens who have attained the age of 18 years are eligible to be registered as voters.

Agboke said the commission’s officials are under clear instructions to enforce the provisions of the Electoral Act without exception.

He assured the people of the state that INEC, under his leadership, would not engage in or permit any action capable of compromising the credibility and integrity of the voter registration process.

Agboke urged members of the public to disregard the social media post and rely on information from official communication channels of the commission for accurate and verified updates on its activities.

“The commission also calls on stakeholders, including parents, guardians, school authorities, and community leaders, to support INEC by sensitising young persons on the legal requirements for voter registration,” he said.

He added that INEC remains committed to carrying out all its statutory responsibilities with transparency, professionalism, and strict adherence to the law.(NAN)