Underage Voting: PDP Advises INEC Ahead of 2019 Elections

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to review the issue of underage voting  in some parts of the country, particularly in Kano and Katsina States.

PDP made the submission in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan on Wednesday in Abuja in reaction to the alleged cases of underage voting in the recently concluded local government elections in Kano state.

 

The PDP condemned the commission for attempting to exonerate itself from the reported under-aged voting in Kano simply because it did not conduct the election directly.

” Is it not INEC that registered the minors and issued them with Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to participate in elections as clearly documented in the Kano council election.

“Can INEC truly acquit itself as the original culprit who set the stage for the eventual participation of the minors and overall rigging of the elections,” he said.

“Indeed, if this INEC is serious about the sanctity of sensitive electoral materials, by now, it should have ordered the immediate review of its voter register in Kano and Katsina states.

“INEC supposes to be fishing out and prosecuting those who registered the minors and clean up the electoral system in the affected states.”

“Finally, we want INEC to note, and in very strong terms too, that Nigerians will not accept anything short of credible, free and fair general elections.

“The commission should therefore ensure that it does not allow itself to be used by the APC against the will of the people, particularly in the 2019 elections, as such will be highly resisted.”

Recall that following the widespread accusation of  children and underage voting in Kano, INEC in a reaction to allegation by its Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi recently, said the images did not relate in any way to any election organised, conducted or superintended by INEC.

“It should be pointed out that local government elections are exclusively the responsibility of the respective State Electoral Commissions, who are in no way under the control and supervision of INEC.