“Youth Have The Major Numbers Of Eligible Voters For 2023” – INEC

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, young people make up the majority of the registered voters, eligible to vote in the general election of 2023.

Mr. Festus Okoye, the National Commissioner of INEC responsible for Information and Voter Education Committee, said this on Saturday in Awka, during the Commission’s engagement with selected groups on the roles of the youth ahead of the 2023 general election.

According to Okoye, the youth hold the advantage in determining the results of the elections in 2023 based on the electoral umpire’s records.

He stated that out of a total of 9,518,756 legitimately newly registered voters between June 28, 2021, and July 31, 2022, 7,286,871 or 76.56 per cent were between the ages of 18 and 34.

Okoye also said that there will be 93.5 million registered voters for the general election in 2023, adding that the youth population, which includes both male and female voters, made up 51% of the 84 million registered voters for the general election in 2019.

However, he advised the youths to make sure they voted on election day, highlighting the fact that only after they cast their votes could they determine which candidates will win.

He clarified that the Commission had already implemented technology in all of its operations and that the 2023 electoral processes would be entirely technology-driven.

He said, “The Commission had already taken delivery of the full number of the Bimodal Voter’s Accreditation System, for the conduct of the election in the 176,846 polling units across the federation. Additional BVAS for contingencies would be deployed to the 8,809 registration areas across the country.

“The BVAS were designed to function offline, and, that only accredited voters would be allowed to cast votes on the day of the polls.

“Only registered voters who present their Permanent Voters Cards, at the polling unit would be accredited to vote.

“Over 1.4 million ad-hoc election staff had been engaged by the Commission for the conduct of the 2023 general election, and insurance police had been secured for them against hazards of the election, especially possible attack.

“Punishment for any act of electoral offence against electoral officers have been made stiffer in the current 2022 Electoral Act (as amended) than the provisions in the previous 2010 Electoral Act (as amended).”

2023 is going to be a crucial year, especially as the election that would probably determine where this country’s final destination is would be taking place on February.

In my opinion, Nigerians can’t afford to make the wrong choice in this election as the trajectory of the country is already going down to hell.