Electoral Guidelines for the 2026 Election

Preamble

These Electoral Guidelines are issued by the Jenjo Youth Electoral Committee to provide a clear, fair, transparent, credible, and orderly framework for the conduct of the 2026 Jen Community Development Association (JCDA) Youth Wing Election.

All aspirants, voters, electoral officials, members, and stakeholders shall be guided by these provisions and shall conduct themselves in accordance with the JCDA Constitution, these Guidelines, and any lawful directives issued by the JCDA National Secretariat.

1. Positions to Be Contested

The following positions shall be contested in the 2026 JCDA Youth Wing Election:

1. National Youth Leader
2. Deputy National Youth Leader
3. Secretary-General
4. Assistant Secretary-General
5. Social Director
6. Spokesperson
7. Auditor I
8. Auditor II
9. Treasurer
10. Financial Secretary
11. Women Liaison Officer

1.1 Change in Nomenclature of the Head of the Youth Wing

The former nomenclature, “Youth Leader,” previously used as the official title for the head of the Jenjo Youth Wing, is hereby changed to “National Youth Leader,” with the approval of the JCDA National Secretariat. Accordingly, all future correspondence, official communications, election materials, documents, and forms of address relating to the head of the Jenjo Youth Wing shall henceforth reflect the title “National Youth Leader.”

2. Cost of Nomination Forms

2.1 Payment Details

Payment for nomination forms shall be made into the designated account below:

All aspirants are advised to retain evidence of payment for verification purposes.

3. Manifesto

There shall be no fixed date or stipulated period for unveiling of manifestos. Any aspirant who has duly purchased a nomination form and has been cleared to contest shall be at liberty to present or unveil his/her manifesto at a time convenient to the aspirant.

4. Educational Qualifications

4.1 National Youth Leader, Secretary-General and Spokesperson

Aspirants seeking election to these offices shall possess a minimum of a First Degree (Bachelor’s Degree) or its equivalent from a recognized institution.

4.2 Other Elective Positions

Aspirants contesting for all other positions shall possess a minimum of a National Diploma (ND), National Certificate in Education (NCE), or its equivalent from a recognized institution.

4.3 Special Requirement for Spokesperson

Given the importance of the office of Spokesperson in representing, communicating, and protecting the image and interests of the Jenjo youth, particular attention shall be given to the aspirant’s communication skills, eloquence and clarity of speech, composure and confidence, knowledge of issues affecting Jenjo youth, ability to articulate ideas effectively, character and integrity, and general competence and suitability for the office.

Every aspirant for the position of Spokesperson shall be required to produce a four (4)-minute video presentation demonstrating a high level of communication skills, eloquence, composure, confidence, and competence, to be considered by the Electoral Committee.

The Electoral Committee reserves the right to disqualify any aspirant for Spokesperson who fails to meet the prescribed qualifications, requirements, standards, or competency criteria — irrespective of whether the aspirant is contesting unopposed. Any decision to disqualify shall be based on clearly established grounds and communicated to the affected aspirant.

5. Age Requirement

All aspirants must be between eighteen (18) and forty-five (45) years of age as of the date of the election to be eligible to contest.

6. Character and Conduct

Every aspirant shall:

• Be a person of good character and conduct;
• Demonstrate integrity, responsibility, maturity, and commitment to community development;
• Have no criminal record or pending criminal matter that renders the person ineligible to contest;
• Demonstrate respect for the unity, peace, values, and interests of the Jenjo community; and
• Be considered suitable to hold the office being contested.

7. Eligibility of Voters

Only duly registered members of the JCDA Youth Wing shall be eligible to vote. The Electoral Committee shall verify and authenticate the register of eligible voters before the commencement of voting. No person shall be permitted to vote unless their eligibility has been duly established in accordance with the applicable electoral provisions.

8. Identification Requirements for Voting

Every eligible voter shall be required to present any one (1) of the following valid means of identification before being permitted to vote:

1. National Identification Number (NIN);
2. Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC); or
3. Driver’s Licence.

The identification presented shall be used solely for the purpose of verifying the identity and eligibility of the voter.

9. Proxy Voting

Voting by proxy shall not be permitted. Every eligible voter must appear personally (via this portal, in person) to cast his/her vote. No person shall be permitted to vote on behalf of another eligible voter.

10. Filling of Uncontested or Vacant Offices

Where any elective office remains uncontested after the close of the election, or where an aspirant is disqualified for failing to meet the prescribed qualifications, requirements, or standards for the office, the National Youth Leader-elect, in consultation with the Electoral Committee and JCDA Secretariat, shall have the authority to appoint a person or persons to fill such office — subject, where necessary, to the approval or ratification of the JCDA National Secretariat.

11. Disqualification of Aspirants

The Electoral Committee shall have the authority, subject to the relevant provisions of the JCDA Constitution, to disqualify any aspirant who is found to be unqualified, ineligible, or otherwise unfit to contest the election — even where the affected aspirant is the only candidate for a particular position. Any disqualification shall be based on clearly established grounds, consistent with the JCDA Constitution and these Guidelines, and communicated to the affected aspirant.

12. Method of Voting

The election shall be conducted through a secret-ballot system. Each eligible voter shall be entitled to cast his/her vote personally and secretly. The Electoral Committee shall take reasonable measures to ensure that the voting process is orderly, transparent, and credible, while protecting the secrecy and integrity of every vote.

13. Constitutional Compliance

The Electoral Committee shall liaise with the JCDA National Secretariat on all constitutional and administrative matters relating to the election. All electoral activities, decisions, and procedures shall be conducted in accordance with the JCDA Constitution, these Electoral Guidelines, and any lawful directives issued by the JCDA National Secretariat.

14. General Principles

The Electoral Committee shall conduct the election in a manner that promotes:

Transparency · Credibility · Fairness · Inclusiveness · Accountability · Peaceful participation · Equal opportunity · Democratic principles · Acceptability of the electoral outcome.

15. Mode of Campaign

1. Prohibition of Hard-Copy Campaign Materials: Campaigns shall not use hard-copy posters, banners, or other printed materials. Aspirants are encouraged to use appropriate digital and other approved means of communication.
2. Prohibition of Vote Buying and Inducement: There shall be no vote buying, bribery, gifts, financial inducement, or any other material incentive offered to voters, directly or indirectly, to influence their votes.
3. Sanctions for Violations: Any aspirant found to have violated the above provisions shall be subject to disqualification, following due investigation.

16. Review and Amendment of the Guidelines

The Electoral Committee reserves the right to review, amend, modify, or clarify any provision of these Guidelines where necessary to address unforeseen circumstances, improve the electoral process, promote transparency and democratic best practices, ensure compliance with the JCDA Constitution, or protect the credibility and integrity of the election. No amendment shall be made in a manner that unfairly advantages or disadvantages any particular aspirant or group of aspirants.