Calls have been made to the National and State Assemblies to amend the Constitution before the 2027 general elections, mandating the conclusion of all pre and post-election court cases before the swearing-in of winning candidates.
The call was made at the one-day Youth Forum on Electoral Reform, hosted by the New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD) with support from the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) held at Sunview Hotel, Akure, Ondo State Capital on 21 February.
In a joint statement signed by Abimbola Aladejare, Executive Director of NIGAWD, and Jonathan Obatola of Pacesetters for Youth Development Initiative, obtained by Golden Page Magazine, the forum recommended amending the Constitution to allow independent candidacy in Nigeria’s future elections.
The forum further urged the National Assembly to amend the 2022 Electoral Act, mandating real-time electronic transmission of results for collation.
The forum advocated for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure real-time transmission of results from polling units to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) during the 2024 Ondo off-cycle gubernatorial election, as stipulated in their regulations and guidelines.
Related posts
- Ondo @48: Aiyedatiwa hails founding fathers
- Ondo Governorship Election: No automatic ticket for Aiyedatiwa – APC
- Cristiano Ronaldo: Beyond Human, A Footballing Cyborg Forged in the Fires of Excellence
- INTERVIEW: ‘We’re Dying’, Women at Rumuowha Gate Market Tell Tinubu
Similarly, the forum implored INEC, the police, and other security agencies to maintain neutrality and work towards free, fair, and credible elections during the 2024 Ondo off-cycle gubernatorial elections.
“That the use of assistive materials for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) should be made compulsory as part of the Election day materials for the Ondo 2024 off-cycle gubernatorial election.
“That Ondo State youth should refrain from hate speech, disinformation and electoral violence, and participate in all aspects of the 2024 off-cycle gubernatorial election, in an informed manner,” the forum recommended.
The forum, held as the first in a series of youth dialogues across Southwest and other geopolitical zones, provided a platform for young leaders from Ondo, Ekiti, and Osun states to discuss the challenges of the 2023 general elections and build consensus on electoral reform recommendations that could improve future Nigerian elections.
Discussing the 2023 election challenges, the forum highlighted that it fell short of expectations—and led to a concerning decline in faith in the electoral process among many young people.
“Nigeria possesses a youth population estimated at 58% of its total population of about 215 million people (World Population Review, 2022), making it one of the most youthful and energetic populations on the planet. The participation of young people in the political space in Nigeria is at an evolving stage and each electoral cycle is a defining moment for youth to either get more involved or relapse.
“The 2024 Ondo off-cycle gubernatorial election and the ongoing process by the National Assembly to further amend the 1999 Constitution and the 2022 Electoral Act provides a unique opportunity to improve Nigeria’s electoral process.”
Attendees include, male and female youth representatives from civil society organisations (CSOs), political parties, the media, the private sector, and individuals with disabilities (PWDs).
