Youth and civil society teams below the Youth Electoral Reform Mission (YERP-Naija) have referred to as for a constitutional modification to scale back the minimal age requirement for contesting governorship and senatorial elections from 35 to 30 years.
The demand was a part of resolutions reached on the Nationwide Multi-Stakeholder Discussion board on Electoral Reform held in Abuja.
The discussion board, which introduced collectively youth leaders, civil society organisations, skilled our bodies, and labour unions, sought to consolidate advocacy efforts and set a reform agenda for the Nationwide Meeting forward of its resumption from recess in October.
Individuals, together with representatives of the Nigerian Bar Affiliation (NBA), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and main youth organisations, argued that the proposed age discount would open up the political house, deepen youth inclusion, and align Nigeria’s democracy with world greatest practices.
In a communiqué issued on the finish of the discussion board and signed by the Govt Director of Kimpact Improvement Initiative (KDI), Bukola Idowu, Govt Director of New Technology Women and Ladies Improvement Initiative (NIGAWD), Abimbola Aladejare-Salako, amongst others, the stakeholders additionally outlined key suggestions to enhance transparency, inclusiveness, and equity in Nigeria’s electoral course of.
Among the many main proposals had been the switch of appointment energy of the INEC Chairman from the President to an impartial, non-partisan committee.
The discussion board, which additionally referred to as for necessary digital transmission of election outcomes to curb manipulation, harassed the necessity for the institution of an electoral offences fee to prosecute election-related crimes.
The communique added: “individuals referred to as for modification of the Structure to switch the ability of the President to nominate the INEC Chairman from the President to an impartial and non-partisan committee.
“Conclusion of pre- and post-election petitions earlier than winners are sworn into workplace for fairness, justice and equity. Modification of the Structure to introduce impartial candidacy to make the electoral course of extra inclusive.
“Modification of the Structure to delete sections that empower INEC to register and regulate political events and switch these powers to a political social gathering registration and regulatory fee. Modification of the Structure to scale back the qualification for contesting for Senate and Governorship elections from 35 years to 30 years, with a purpose to open up the political house to
accommodate extra youth.
“Modification of the Structure to introduce reserved particular seats for ladies for inclusion, fairness and equity within the electoral course of. Amend the Structure to take away INEC’s powers to register and regulate political events and switch these powers to a Political Occasion Registration and Regulation Fee, to be established by an Act of parliament.
“That the Nationwide Meeting and the President ought to cross and signal into regulation proposed Acts of Parliament with reform proposals that may strengthen the electoral course of and restore public confidence, particularly.
“Modification of the Electoral Act to permit for early voting. Modification of the Electoral Act to permit for diaspora voting. Go and signal into regulation a invoice to determine a Political Occasion Registration and Regulatory Fee
(PPRRC) to strengthen the registration and regulation of political events within the nation
The discussion board urged the President to be magnanimous in growing a system that might additional improve residents’ participation within the appointment course of, thereby constructing public belief within the management of the brand new INEC and in Nigeria’s electoral course of.
“That the Nationwide Meeting, State Homes of Meeting and the President ought to conclude the constitutional and electoral reform course of by December 2025, to create time for sensitising the general public on new provisions within the Structure, Electoral Act and different legal guidelines, and the precise implementation of those provisions”, it added.
