The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has accredited 89 local and international groups to observe the 2015 general election scheduled for February 14 and 28.

INEC in a statement said the groups were accredited sequel to their compliance with the requirements and guidelines issued by the commission.

The commission warned that any observer groups other than those accredited by, and listed by it, which are found in the states, in the course of the elections, should be handed over to law enforcement agencies.

It also warned that accredited field observers found in the states other than where they were posted would equally be sanctioned.

Also, Nollywood stars, Jim Iyke, Ini Edo, Ali Nuhu, multiple award-winning musician, Frank Edwards and a host of others were among privileged Nigerian youths, unveiled as INEC youth ambassadors, in recognition of their contributions to national development and as role models, in a bid by the INEC to spread the message of violence-free elections.

Delivering the keynote address on Tuesday at the unveiling ceremony and opening of a two-day National Youth Summit on Nigerian Youths “Working for Peaceful Elections, Deepening Our Democracy,” the INEC Chairman, who was represented by National Commissioner, Dr. Chris Iyimoga, urged the youth ambassadors to “use their influence and goodwill to spread the message of a violence- free election.”

Jega regretted the post-election violence which greeted the 2011 general election and assured that “the commission is doing everything possible to ensure that there is no repeat of such an incident in this country.”

The INEC Chairman revealed: “the commission is working towards establishing strategic partnerships with youth groups that will organise young people for peaceful and credible 2015 elections, by enhancing their electoral knowledge especially in the area of following provisions of the law in registering their grievances before, during and after the elections,” adding that: “This is not the time to foment violence, but a time to vote with complete awareness that your candidate may win or lose elections because every candidate is ably qualified and has the right to win.”

Delivering the welcome address, National Commissioner and Chairperson of INEC Outreach and Partnership Committee (OPC), Mr. Nne Nwafor, said that Nigerian youths constituted a huge percentage of our voting population and any attempt to ignore them would no doubt detract from our desired goal.

She explained that the summit was aimed at discussing the vital role expected of youths to the success of the 2015 general election, adding that, “the choice of the INEC youth ambassadors stems from modest achievements in the development of our country and the fact that they have carved a niche for themselves to become role models.”

“As super stars, the commission appreciates your valuable contributions to the development of democracy in our dear country through your various platforms. We also as a commission, realise that with your support as INEC ambassadors, your teeming fans and followers, no doubt will also buy in, to the call for a violence-free 2015 general election,” she said.

The National Commissioner expressed appreciation to Development Partners, especially the United Nation Development Programme-Development partner Group (UNDP-DPG) for their support towards organising the first-ever INEC youth summit and their investiture of INEC Youth Ambassadors.

In his goodwill message, the UNDP-DGD Project Director, Dr. Mourtada Deme, represented by Ann Ikpeme, said: “a major shortcoming on youth involvement in the political process include: low participation of the youth in the election of political leaders at all levels and manipulation of the youth by turning them into tools of political intimidation and violence.” He added that the convening of the youth summit was a step in the right direction and commended INEC for the effort.

Mourtada urged the participants to ensure that strategies for enhancing effective and non-violent electoral participation in the 2015 elections and beyond were developed.

Responding on behalf of the youth ambassadors, Jim Iyke appreciated the gesture by the commission, and pledged their unflinching support for the cause of peaceful and non-violent elections next month.