Mohammed Shosanya
The New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD), leading the Youth-led Electoral Reform Project (YERP-Naija) in Southwest Nigeria,has called for youth-friendly electoral strategies in the country.
The group also advocated the use of digital tools like SMS and emails to inform voters about PVC collection.
In a statement signed by Abimbola Aladejare-Salako,Executive Director, NIGAWD,the group emphasized the need for expansion of PVC collection points to locations close to youth-centered locations like tertiary institutions.
According to the group,the country must ensure adequate training of ad-hoc staff to improve election-day efficiency.
It added:”These measures aim to restore public confidence in INEC and increase youth participation. INEC has been receptive in adopting these recommendations towards their administrative and logistics preparations leading to today. YERP Naija commend this positive move by INEC”
The group implored all young people in Ondo State to seize this opportunity to cast their votes objectively and responsibly,as well as use their PVC to elect the candidate of your choice without succumbing to financial inducements.
The group also advised the youths to reject any attempt to involve them in acts of violence.
The statement added:”Our volunteers, a non-partisan team deployed across all 18 local government areas, are observing INEC and key stakeholders like the Police and other security agencies to ensure adherence to election guidelines.
“Using the YERP-Naija Election Process Observation Survey Tool (YNEPOST), they will monitor critical aspects of the electoral process. Feedback from these observations will be shared with the people of Ondo State and Nigerians at large, ensuring transparency and accountability.
“The Ondo gubernatorial election marks a significant step in Nigeria’s democratic journey. As young people lead the charge for reform, we celebrate their role as change-makers in promoting free, fair, and credible elections. As votes are cast, we urge all stakeholders to uphold the integrity of the process and to prioritize the will of the people at the polling units and collation centres for more inclusive democracy in Nigeria”.
