INEC vows to resist underage voting

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has said under-aged persons who attempt to vote anywhere today would be arrested.

He said such persons would not be allowed to exercise franchise not guaranteed them in the Nigerian Constitution.

He made the declaration Friday in Abuja at his daily media briefing.

He appealed to eligible voters who may sight underage persons on the queue, waiting for accreditation to inform the police.

He further warned those with the evil motive to use underage persons to manipulate the process to shelve such plan

“There is statutory age for eligibility. If you come across anyone that is apparently underage waiting for accreditation, inform the police. Underage persons and anyone trying to sponsor underage voters, will be arrested. I assure you that we won’t tolerate that.”

He also announced that collation of presidential election results would commence in Abuja by 6pm on Sunday.

The acting Inspector General of Police, Abubakar Adamu in his opening remarks said his men would be on ground at polling units to secure the electorate, INEC officials and election materials.

“Police will be at Polling Units to protect electorate, the INEC staff and election materials. They won’t be armed but we have a tactical unit of the Force that will be patrolling to ensure that the process isn’t disrupted. They will be armed. If you commit thuggery or disrupt voting, you will be arrested and prosecuted. If result is announced those wiling to make trouble, we will put them in check. If you have no business with voting and you aren’t an INEC official stay away from voting centres,” he said.

NAN

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