The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun on Wednesday inaugurated a seven-man committee for the state chapter of voter education programme for public secondary schools.
Amb. Rufus Akeju, State Resident Electoral Commissioner, who heads the committee, performed the inauguration in Osogbo.
In his address of welcome at the occasion, Akeju said that the programme was to introduce and arouse the interest of school children in the democratisation process of the country.
“We know that all elections are administered by election management body, as well as contested by political parties and candidates while citizens register as voters to vote.
“Since all participants in the electoral process require sufficient enlightenment for effective participation, education in support of elections and democracy is imperative,” he explained.
Akeju said that the “worrisome and alarming” level of apathy and the number of rejected votes in the past elections had made the commission uncomfortable in recent times.
To this effect, Akeju said that the commission resolved to use enlightenment and voter education among other strategies, to achieve greater participation of voters in subsequent elections.
He said that the commission, in collaboration with the UNILAG CONSULT, would draw the programme guide, including the manual to re-awaken the consciousness of students to their civic duties.
Akeju promised that the committee would work with the school principals for the success of the project.
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