INEC denies registering underage voters in Osun

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed allegations circulating on social media that it registered underage students as voters in Osun State, describing the claims as false and misleading.

In a statement issued on Monday, the commission’s spokesperson in the state, Musa Olurode, said the video trending online, which purportedly showed students being registered in Ede North Local Government Area, misrepresented the situation.

Olurode explained that although some students of YTD Grammar School, Ojoro, Ede, arrived at the INEC office in their uniforms last Friday with the intention of registering, they were denied access by officials.

He said the Electoral Officer and other staff on duty acted in strict compliance with the law and refused to register anyone who did not meet the eligibility requirements.

“As such, no underage person was registered,” he stated.

The spokesperson reiterated that, in line with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022, only Nigerian citizens aged 18 and above are eligible to register as voters. He added that INEC officials have clear instructions to enforce the rule without exception.

Olurode assured residents that the commission, under the leadership of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Mutiu Agboke, would not compromise the integrity of the voter registration process.

He urged the public to disregard the social media claims and rely only on official INEC communication channels for accurate information about its activities.