Janet Samuel
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has called on African youths to take a leading role in promoting peaceful and credible elections across the continent.
Delivering a lecture titled “Democracy and Peaceful Elections in West Africa” on Tuesday, April 15, at the Civil Service University in the Republic of The Gambia, Prof. Yakubu emphasized that youth engagement is critical to the success of electoral processes in Africa.
“Youths are the backbone of election duty staff,” he noted, explaining that Election Management Bodies (EMBs) often rely heavily on young people as temporary or ad hoc workers during elections due to manpower constraints.
Prof. Yakubu highlighted that the role of youth goes beyond staffing.
He pointed out that young people make up the largest portion of the voting population and are instrumental in pre-election activities such as voter registration—a stage he described as “one of the most critical in the electoral cycle,” which must be approached with sincerity, patriotism, and responsibility.
He Urged young Africans to be law-abiding and to contribute positively to democracy
“If you want peaceful elections, play your part for God and country. Do the right thing. Obey the laws and regulations. That’s how we make every vote count.” Professor Yakubu stated.
The INEC Chairman also warned against the misuse of political positions, particularly by youth serving as party agents.
He stressed the importance of honesty and integrity in this role, cautioning that spreading false information can incite violence and erode public trust in the electoral process.
Speaking on the dangers of misinformation, especially via digital platforms, the INEC chairman encouraged youths to avoid circulating unverified content.
“Don’t be among the fake news merchants. If it’s not verified, don’t share it. As citizen reporters, you have a duty to report elections truthfully and responsibly,” he said.
He encouraged young Africans not to lose faith in democracy. “This is the system we have chosen. It is ours to nurture, defend, and improve. Every young African must play a role in deepening and strengthening democratic institutions,” he affirmed.
