BANJUL, Gambia – Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has called on African youths to respect laws and regulations during elections to ensure a peaceful and democratic process.
Yakubu made the remarks on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, while delivering a lecture on ‘Democracy and Peaceful Elections in West Africa’ to students of international affairs, diplomacy, and peace and conflict studies at the Civil Service University in The Gambia.
He emphasized the critical role that young people play in the electoral process, urging them to engage actively but responsibly, avoiding electoral malpractices and promoting democratic values.
“Young people form the backbone of election duty staff,” Yakubu said.
“Without their participation, election management bodies (EMBs) cannot conduct elections successfully. Youths make up the largest segment of the voting population and are involved in every step of the electoral process, from voter registration to the polling stations.”
Yakubu also highlighted the importance of sincerity and responsibility in voter registration, which he described as one of the most crucial stages in the electoral cycle.
He urged young people to act with patriotism and a sense of duty towards their country.
“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,” he stressed.
In addition, Yakubu cautioned against the spread of fake news and misinformation, warning that such actions could incite violence and undermine public trust in the electoral process.
He called on youths to report elections truthfully and responsibly, particularly as citizen reporters.
Finally, Yakubu encouraged young people to remain engaged in the democratic process, stressing that democracy is a system that requires continuous nurturing, defending, and improvement by every African citizen.
“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 concluded.
