The Catch Them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) ahead of Imo gubernatorial election.
The Executive Director of CATYCOI, Mr Nonso Orakwe, told newsmen on Thursday in Awka that the CVR was necessary to avoid disenfranchisement of some youths.
“We are concerned about the participation of youths in the Nov. 11 off-cycle governorship election in Imo State.
“We are concerned that there are no signs yet that INEC will conduct a Continuous Voter Registration in Imo State, with only a short time left before the election.
Orakwe said that many youths had yet to register or complete their voter registration in Imo while some had turned 18 years old since the suspension of the CVR in July 2022.
According to him, there is the need for INEC to conduct CVR in order not to disenfranchise these groups of youths in Imo.
“While youths already constitute the majority of registered voters in Nigeria, they also constitute the highest number of citizens that are yet to register.
“We call on INEC to ensure that Imo youths are able to register and have their voices heard during the Nov.11 off-cycle governorship elections,” he said.
Orakwe said that CATYCOI, in collaboration with other youth-based civil society organisations, was prepared to assist in mobilising youths in Imo for the process.
