Targeting to improve youth representation in the electoral and political space, ECES within the context of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria(EU-SDGN), supported the #INEC Nigeria to organise a “LIVE CITIZENS RADIO TOWN HALL ON YOUTH AND NON-VIOLENT PARTICIPATION IN ELECTIONS” ahead of the 10th October 2020 Governorship election in Ondo state.

This activity highlighted the need for concerted and sustained efforts at engaging youth in Ondo State by way of mass sensitization and robust voter education through the traditional media in order to positively influence their attitude and behaviour, thereby promoting an atmosphere of non-violent election in Ondo state, while shaping their perception on governance through enlightened participation. It is in this light that the live radio audience interactive programme became necessary as an important outreach initiative to mitigate violence before, during and after the 10th October governorship election in Ondo.

Minimising violent conduct especially from the youth constituency formed the basis of interactions at the citizens town hall with callers emphasizing the need to change the disturbing narrative of youth engagement as mercenaries for perpetration of electoral malpractices.

The town hall which saw the participation of the Mrs. Dorothy Lakunya Bello, INEC Deputy Director, CSO, Youth and PWD Division, Sylvestre Somo, ECES Senior Project Officer, Akintayo Faniran, Actor and INEC Youth Ambassador, implementing partners of the EU-SDGN programme, Civil Society representatives among others held on 15 September 2020, broadcast and streamed live on Empire Radio, 104.5 Akure, Ondo state.