INEC Will Not Tolerate Underage Voters Registration, Ready For 2026 Osun Gov. Poll - Dr. Agboke
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has worried
over the turnout of the underage Nigerians willing to participate in the
ongoing nationwide Continuous Voters Registration (CVR).
According to the electoral umpire, only Nigerians aged 18
years and above are eligible to register in the ongoing exercise.
Resident Electoral Commissioner in charge of Osun, Dr. Mutiu
Agboke, who expressed reservation while speaking on a flagship programme of Dynasty 89.9 FM, Oyo, "THE DIALOGUE" Host by Tunji Oyeleye, described the ugly development as unacceptable.
Agboke explained that while INEC appreciated the turnout of
the eligible voters to participate in the exercise, it will not allow underage
Nigerians to register.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner added that underage
registration remained a criminal act and the commission will not allow it in
whatever guise.
According to him, the electoral umpire is impressed with the
citizens and other relevant stakeholders for mobilizing for the civic
participation in the exercise.
“We have been seeing numbers of teeming ubderage Nigerians attempting
to register in the ongoing registration exercise but we have made it clear that
they will not be allowed
“It is illegal for anyone to encourage underage registration
or those below 18 years of age to register in anticipation that they will
attain the legal age of voting by the time the general election holds in 2027,”
the agency disclosed in the statement.
Agboke asked the relevant stakeholders to assist the
commission in addressing underage, among other challenges.
Speaking on the claims about the figure of the Osun State in
the ongoing pre-registration online, describing them as baseless and unfounded.
Agboke attributed the success to the early preparation,
sensitization and mobilization by the commission under his watch, saying the
commission is ready to conduct free, fair and credible 2026 Governorship poll
in the state.
