The Independent National Electoral Commission has said that Nigerian youths’ lack of interest to participate in elections calls for concern.
Speaking during an engagement meeting that the commission held with identified youth groups, National Youth Service Corps members, and persons living with disabilities and albinos in Osogbo on Tuesday June 7, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Prof Abdulganiy Raji noted that while the registration of young people has remained over 60 per cent of the entire registered voters, the huge number has not been reflecting positively in the number of people who vote and exercise their franchise during elections.
Raji expressed hope of the meeting providing youths the needed impetus in changing the old narrative of not voting in elections or being used by the inordinate political class to carry out electoral violence.
He said;
“Ever since this period, the registration of young people has remained over 60 per cent of the entire registered voters, but this huge number has not been reflecting positively in the number of people who vote and exercise their franchise during elections.
“The disposition of our young people to voting in elections calls for serious concern. So, the commission is not out of order by organising today’s engagement meeting with identified youth groups in Osun State.
“It is our strong belief and we are convinced beyond reasonable doubt that today’s meeting with you will provide the needed impetus in changing the old narrative of not voting in elections or being used by the inordinate political class who believe in election violence as a means of achieving their selfish political interest.”
