- Safiu Kehinde
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied the alleged registration of underage persons in Osun State.
This is coming amid social media reports that the commission is Osun registered a group of students in school uniforms as voters at its Ede North Local Government office in the state.
Reacting in a statement issued on Monday, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Mutiu Agboke, said the post circulating on Facebook was untrue.
Agboke admitted that the students were on Friday brought to the office for registration.
They were however refused entry into the premises as officials acted in compliance with thr law which bars underage voting.
“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,” Agboke 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.