Ethnic Youth Leaders Laud INEC Over Voter Register Revalidation, New Party Registrations

Socio-cultural group, Ethnic Youth Leaders, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the leadership of its chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, for what it described as decisive steps toward strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.

The group praised INEC’s planned nationwide voter register revalidation exercise and the recent registration of two new political parties, saying the moves signalled the Commission’s readiness to deliver an inclusive and credible electoral process ahead of the 2027 General Election.

In a statement signed by its Deputy Spokesperson, Mirabel Ashara, on Thursday, the Ethnic Youth Leaders said they were encouraged by Prof. Amupitan’s detailed exposition on the state of the national voter register, which was first compiled ahead of the 2011 General Election and has since been updated and deployed for subsequent elections.

“We note with satisfaction Prof. Amupitan’s detailed exposition on the state of Nigeria’s national voter register, which was first compiled ahead of the 2011 General Election and has since been continuously updated and deployed in the general elections of 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023, as well as several off-cycle governorship and bye-elections,” the statement read.

According to the group, the voter register stood at 93,469,008 registered voters as of the 2023 General Election.

The Ethnic Youth Leaders also acknowledged INEC’s recognition of persistent challenges affecting the register, including duplicated registrations, under-age registration, registration by non-citizens, inclusion of deceased voters, as well as incomplete or inaccurate records.

“Prof. Amupitan rightly acknowledged the persistent challenges confronting the voter register, which, if left unaddressed, have the potential to undermine public confidence in the electoral process,” the group stated.

They, however, welcomed INEC’s decision to undertake a comprehensive clean-up of the register through a nationwide voter revalidation exercise ahead of 2027, describing it as a proactive and reform-driven approach.

“We therefore welcome INEC’s decision to embark on a comprehensive clean-up of the voter register and the planned nationwide voter revalidation exercise ahead of the 2027 General Election. This proactive step demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to transparency, credibility, and continuous improvement of Nigeria’s electoral system,” the statement added.

The group said the resolve of the Amupitan-led INEC to sanitise the voter register was “clear evidence of preparedness to deliver an inclusive, credible, and people-centred electoral process that reflects the true will of Nigerians.”

While urging stakeholders to refrain from casting doubts on the Commission, the Ethnic Youth Leaders called for broad-based support for INEC’s reform agenda.

“Rather than cast unwarranted doubts on the Commission, stakeholders should support this reform-driven approach aimed at strengthening democracy,” the group said.

They also encouraged Nigerians, particularly young people, to take advantage of the forthcoming voter revalidation exercise.

“As Ethnic Youth Leaders, we reaffirm our confidence in INEC’s leadership and urge Nigerians, especially young people, to actively participate in the upcoming voter revalidation exercise to ensure a clean, accurate, and trustworthy register ahead of 2027,” the statement added.