CALABAR — The Independent National Electoral Commission and the Coalition of Cross River State Youths have discussed ways of strengthening youth participation and promoting peaceful and credible elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The discussion took place when the leadership of COCRISY paid a visit to the INEC state headquarters in Calabar on Friday, where both sides examined the role of youths in the electoral process.
Speaking during the meeting, the Administrative Secretary of INEC in Cross River, Mrs Benedict Udoh, said the commission was putting measures in place to ensure free, fair, credible and inclusive elections.
Udoh urged youths to contribute to a peaceful electoral environment and encouraged eligible young Nigerians to participate in the commission’s recruitment of ad-hoc election personnel.
INEC’s official portal currently lists the recruitment of Supervisory Presiding Officers, Presiding Officers, Assistant Presiding Officers and Registration Area Centre Managers for the 2027 general elections. The application portal is scheduled to close on November 18, 2026.
Also speaking, the Head of Electoral Operations, Leo Odungikan, welcomed the proposed engagement between the commission and the youth organisation but cautioned youths against allowing politicians to use them for activities capable of undermining the electoral process.
Odungikan said young people were often mobilised for political campaigns and demonstrations and urged them to ensure their participation contributed positively to peace and social cohesion.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Cross River, Prof Gabriel Yomere, described elections as a process rather than an event, stressing the need for sustained participation by citizens.
Yomere urged youths to participate actively in the electoral process instead of remaining apathetic and later complaining about the outcome of elections.
He also called on young people to rise above ethnic and religious considerations in their civic participation and contribute to creating an environment conducive to credible elections.
The REC said INEC was willing to work with COCRISY on a neutral and community-based platform to promote voter participation and peaceful elections.
Earlier, COCRISY’s Director of Contact and Mobilisation, Uket Abanda, said the organisation visited the commission to appreciate its preparations for the 2027 elections and explore areas of collaboration.
Abanda said the organisation was prepared to support voter education, peaceful participation and other activities capable of strengthening the electoral process across the state.
He said COCRISY had a structure covering the 18 local government areas of Cross River State and could mobilise youths for programmes aimed at promoting responsible participation in the elections.
The engagement comes as INEC continues preparations for the 2027 general elections. The commission’s current election calendar lists January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections and February 6, 2027, for governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
Responding, COCRISY Director-General, Hon Etem Okimba, pledged that the organisation would advocate peaceful and responsible participation by young people in Cross River during the electoral process.
Okimba said the organisation would continue to engage relevant institutions on issues affecting youths and democratic participation.
He subsequently presented a face cap to the Resident Electoral Commissioner as a symbol of the organisation’s commitment to continued engagement.
The meeting brought together members of the COCRISY leadership and officials of the electoral commission, including representatives of its electoral operations department.
INEC has continued to emphasise stakeholder collaboration, voter education and peaceful participation as part of its preparations for the 2027 elections.
