The need for voter card validation observers across the country is informed by the recent discovery of underage children who took part in Kano State local government election.
The incidence of underage voters is worrisome as it is against the Electoral Act especially as we prepare for the 2019 general elections. With the ongoing voter registration, we should have accredited observers drawn from local and international bodies to monitor the exercise as well as the validation of previous voter cards.
These are pre-2019 general election checks and balances. It will enable us to know ahead where to solve these emerging Electoral Act violations across the country. If we think the Independent National Electoral Commission can handle these emerging issues alone before election proper next year, we are deceiving ourselves!
Therefore, the National Assembly as well as the Presidency should rise up to the current underage voter issue, to ensure that voters’ validation is witnessed by chosen observers and of course INEC officials conducting the process.
The earlier, the better for Nigerians.
Ogbaki Fidelis,
Challenge, Ibadan, Oyo state
