Mahmood Yakubu to youths: If you want peaceful elections, play your part

Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has asked African youths to obey laws and regulations during elections.

Yakubu spoke on Tuesday while delivering a lecture on ‘Democracy and Peaceful Elections in West Africa’ to students of international affairs and diplomacy, and those of peace and conflict studies, at the Civil Service University in The Gambia.

He urged youths to actively engage in the electoral process with a positive mindset, shun electoral malpractices, and uphold democratic values.

The INEC chairman said young people play an indispensable role in the electoral process, adding that elections in Africa cannot succeed without youth participation.

“Young people form the backbone of election duty staff,” he said.

He said election management bodies (EMBs) cannot conduct polls without recruiting youths as temporary or ad hoc staff.

He added that youths also make up the largest segment of the voting population.

A cross-section of participants at the lecture

“Before the elections, they are involved in voter registration, one of the most critical stages of the electoral cycle. It is a duty that must be undertaken with sincerity, patriotism, and a sense of responsibility,” he said.

“If you want peaceful elections, play your part for God and country. Do the right thing. Obey the laws and regulations. That’s how we make every vote count.”

Yakubu cautioned youths against misrepresenting facts or feeding political stakeholders with false information which, he warned, could trigger violence and undermine public trust in the process.

“Don’t be among the fake news merchants. If it’s not verified, don’t share it. As citizen reporters, you have a duty to report elections truthfully and responsibly,” he said.

Mahmood Yakubu (right) being honoured by the Civil Service University in Banjul, The Gambia, after delivering the lecture

He encouraged young people not to lose faith in democracy or withdraw from civic engagement.

“This is the system we have chosen. It is ours to nurture, defend, and improve. Every young African must play a role in deepening and strengthening democratic institutions,” he added.