“There is a very, very bad phenomenon that has started to enter the political arena,” Ethekon said.
“The politicians working with our young people, instead of working for the betterment of the country and our political processes, we have had situations where young people are used as goons or are mobilised to cause chaos and violence.”
He said the commission has observed such incidents across the country, particularly during recent by-elections, where some political actors allegedly enlisted groups to interfere with opponents’ campaigns or disrupt voting processes.
Ethekon noted that such actions undermine democratic principles and threaten the credibility of elections.
He emphasised that the commission will not hesitate to take firm action against individuals found engaging in or facilitating such behaviour.
The IEBC chairperson reiterated that all candidates and political parties are expected to adhere to the electoral code of conduct, which promotes peaceful, fair, and transparent campaigns.
He warned that any breach of these regulations could attract penalties, including disqualification from contesting in the 2027 polls.
He further called on political leaders to exercise responsibility and promote issue-based campaigns, urging them to avoid actions that could incite violence or intimidate voters.
At the same time, Ethekon appealed to young people not to allow themselves to be exploited for political ends.
He encouraged them to play a constructive role in strengthening democratic processes rather than engaging in activities that could lead to unrest or legal consequences.