Osun INEC denies underage voter registration claim

Osun INEC underage voter registration claim dismissed as false, says students in uniform were denied entry at Ede North office

The Independent National Electoral Commission in Osun State has dismissed allegations circulating on social media that underage persons were registered as voters at its Ede North Local Government Office.

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The rebuttal was issued on Monday in a statement signed by the Osun INEC Public Affairs Officer, Musa Olurode, who described the claim as false and misleading.

Musa Olurode said the Commission observed a Facebook post alleging that students dressed in school uniforms were registered as voters at the Ede North office on Friday, 6 February 2026.

He clarified that while students of YTD Grammar School, Ojoro Ede, arrived at the office with the intention of registering, electoral officials refused them entry in strict compliance with the law.

Musa Olurode stated that no underage person was registered at the office on the said date.

The Commission reiterated that, in line with the 1999 Constitution as amended and the Electoral Act 2022, only Nigerian citizens who have attained the age of 18 are eligible for voter registration, and officials have clear instructions to enforce the rule without exception.

Osun INEC assured residents that it would not condone any action capable of compromising the credibility and integrity of the voter registration process.

The Commission urged members of the public to disregard the social media post and rely on official communication channels for verified information.

Osun INEC also appealed to parents, guardians, school authorities and community leaders to sensitise young people on the legal requirements for voter registration.

The clarification comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 8 August governorship election in the state.

Incumbent governor Ademola Adeleke, from Ede North Local Government Area, is seeking re election on the platform of the Accord Party.

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Other contenders include Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress and Dr Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress.

Quadri Olaitan