By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo
Following allegations trending on social media that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, registered some underage students as voters, the commission has denied the story, saying its staff registered prospective voters solely on the provision of the law.
INEC spokesperson in Osun State, Musa Olurode, in a statement on Monday, described the trending video of some students being registered in Ede North Local Government Area of the State as a ruse, saying staff did not register any underage students.
“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 INEC Ede North Local Government Office last Friday with the intention of registering, 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.
“INEC reiterates 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. The Commission’s officials are under clear instructions to enforce this provision without exception.
“The Commission assures the good people of Osun State that INEC Osun State, under the leadership of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, will not engage in, condone, or permit any action capable of compromising the credibility and integrity of the voter registration process.
“INEC therefore urges members of the public to disregard the said social media post and to rely on information from official INEC Osun State communication channels for accurate and verified updates on its activities,” he added.
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