Investigation: GSS Yan Daki, Katsina – Underaged School Kids Set To Vote In 2015 Polls

by Declan Anosike

At the Government Secondary School Yan Daki, Abubakar Abdulrahman is one of the many students in J.S.S 3 who has showed a readiness to vote in coming elections. Only one problem exists, in reality he is actually 13 years of age, and this makes him an underage voter.

Abubakar said that his father ordered his wives and children to get themselves registered in order to partake in the coming elections.

He was registered by Youth Corpers who participated in the recent registration exercise as ad-hoc staffs of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), during the registration exercise along with sseveral boys in his age group. His two friends and classmates Adamu Danladi and Abubakar Sabi are also among those who were registered to vote.

John (real name withheld) who as a corp member in Kaita said that it was common practice for corp members to take the registration materials to residential apartments where they register who families turn by turn.

“Sometimes even at night, they will bring food for us, and someone will volunteer his generator for us to work till late night. If you don’t agree, the local will start acting negative towards you, so most of us just do it.”

Abdullahi said only his sisters were excluded from getting registered.

“We are seventeen, my father has ten boys, and seven girls, but is only the boys that my father told us will vote.”

When asked why he was going to vote in coming elections Abdullahi said he wanted to also be responsible for a change in government in his country.

Several students at the school which is about 20 minutes drive from the Katsina State Government house, said that they were also going to vote, but were reluctant to getting interviewed.

Abdullahi says the he wants to grow up to become a nurse, and has undergone training in local herb administration from his grandfather.
In 2011, there were allegations against the INEC that massive underage voters had participated in the elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on March 7, 2015 seized the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) of some voters who where clearly below 18 years of age as stipulated by the Electoral Law.

INEC Electoral Officer in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano, Alhaji Idris Taoheed Kodo, ordered the seizure of the PVCs at the venue of the field test of the card reader machine, following a formal complaint to the appropriate authorities.