European Centre for Electoral Support, ECES, has advised youths in Edo State not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to perpetrate violence during the September 19, governorship election in the state.
ECES’s Senior Electoral Administration Expert, Dr. Isiaka Yahaya, made the call on Saturday in Benin at a town hall meeting on youths and non-violent participation in Edo governorship election, organised in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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“Youth should not allow selfish politicians to use you to perpetrate violence.
“When you see what may lead to violence, do not resort to self-defense but report to security agents for action,” he said.
According to him, involving in electoral violence and malpractices will not allow the youths to vote and the will of the people would be truncated during the election.
He added that; “youths are always the victims of election violence because they are the one that would be injured, killed and also arrested by the police.”
He further urged the youths not to engage in vote-buying, saying this amounts to mortgaging their future.
Dr. Isiaka noted that ECES is supporting INEC to deliver free, fair and credible election and that it was not interested in who wins the election but that the process must be free and people be allowed to cast their votes freely.
On his part, INEC’s representative, Mr. Sunny Ezumah, an assitant director at INEC headquarters, Abuja, urged the youths not to allow politicians to lure them to disrupt the election.
He said the initiative was to sensitised youths on the need to be actively involved in the electoral process in the state.
Also speaking, Cynthia Mbamalu, the programme director of YIAGA Africa, charged electorates to come out en masse to vote, saying election could only be rigged when there is voters apathy.
She noted that the power to have a better country, free and fair election lies in the hands of the youths with their numbers, urging them not to take bribe.
