Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has called on African youths to respect electoral laws and actively contribute to the growth of democracy on the continent.

Speaking on Tuesday during a lecture titled “Democracy and Peaceful Elections in West Africa” at the Civil Service University in The Gambia, Yakubu addressed students of international affairs, diplomacy, and peace and conflict studies, emphasizing the critical role young people play in electoral processes.

“Young people form the backbone of election duty staff,” he said. “Election management bodies cannot conduct polls without recruiting youths as temporary or ad hoc staff.”

He noted that youths not only dominate election staffing but also make up the largest portion of the voting population. Their involvement in key phases like voter registration, he added, demands “sincerity, patriotism, and accountability.”

Yakubu urged young Africans to play their part in fostering peaceful elections. “Do the right thing. Obey the laws and regulations. That’s how we make every vote count,” he stated.

He also sounded a strong warning against the spread of misinformation and fake news, stressing that unverified information can destabilize democratic processes.

“Don’t be among the fake news merchants. If it’s not verified, don’t share it,” he warned. “As citizen reporters, you have a duty to report elections truthfully and responsibly.”

Yakubu’s remarks come at a time when West African countries are striving to fortify democratic institutions and reduce political instability through credible and peaceful electoral practices.