…urges them to say no to all forms of vices and confront opposers of peaceful elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra State has reiterated its preparedness to conduct free, fair, credible and peaceful 2023 general elections.
Residents Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu gave the advice on Thursday in Awka during an interface with community youth leaders from the 179 communities in the State.
She assured of early deployment of both sensitive and non sensitive materials during the election, urging youths in the state to assist the commission in protecting both personnel and materials.
Agwu further urged the youths to constitute themselves into INEC Vanguards for credible election, just as she advised them to say no to all forms of vices as well as confront opposers of peaceful polls.
She said, “The role of youths in election project is inestimable. Youths provide a ready and reliable source of manpower who serve as ad-hoc staff during election.
“Our youths are the biggest beneficial of good governance which attributes include access to education, employment opportunities, reliable health services, security, social amenities and opportunities for self actualization.
“I urge you to constitute yourselves into INEC Vanguard for free, fair and credible election. Say no to all forms of vices and confront opposers of peaceful elections as this works against your destiny and life time opportunities.”
Describing youths as biggest beneficial of good governance with the capacity to determine election outcome, the REC also warned them against mortgaging their future and destiny for peanuts.
She further applauded their massive turnout during the just concluded voter registration exercise, but argued that the huge turnout would only determine election outcome if the number was translated into votes for their preferred candidates.
“It might interest you to note that youths/middle aged (18-50years) constitute over 70million out of 93million voters that will decide the election.
“This means that you will significantly determine the election outcome if this number is turned into votes for any of our chosen candidate,” she added.
Responding, President General, Youth wing of Anambra State Association of Town Union (ASATU), Comrade Ken Okolie assured the commission of the body’s preparedness to assist her in conducting peaceful and credible elections.
“We’re going to put up an action plan, with Our Youth Empowerment Solution (O-YES) Vanguards, with youth to be stationed in each polling unit across the state to ensure security of INEC facilities on election day,” he added.
