Youth in southwest Nigeria have called on the national and state assemblies to amend the constitution to allow independent candidature in Nigeria’s election.
The youth from Ondo, Ekiti and Osun states made the recommendation in a communiqué issued after the One-Day Youth Forum on Electoral Reform in Akure, organised by The New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD) with support from the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
The forum was organised to discuss the challenges of the 2023 general elections and to build youth consensus on electoral reform recommendations that can improve Nigeria’s elections if implemented.
The southwest youth also called on the National Assembly to amend the 2022 Electoral Act to make the real-time electronic transmission of results for collation mandatory.
The communiqué, signed by NIGAWD Executive Director, Abimbola Aladejare and the Executive Director of Pacesetters for Youth Development Initiative, Jonathan Obatola, reads, “The National Assembly should amend the 2022 Electoral Act to make real-time electronic transmission of results for collation mandatory.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should ensure the real-time transmission of results from polling units to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV) during the 2024 Ondo off-cycle gubernatorial election as contained in their regulations and guidelines for the conduct of elections.”
The youth forum also called on the national and state assemblies to amend the Constitution, well ahead of the 2027 general elections, to ensure that all pre and post-election court cases are concluded before the swearing of candidates who win elections.
They also called for the modification of the electoral act to allow independent people in in Nigeria’s elections going forward.
The communiqué also reads, “That INEC, the police and other security agencies should remain non-partisan and work for free, fair and credible elections during the 2024 off-cycle gubernatorial elections in Ondo State.
The forum also seeks the provision of assistive materials for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) should as part of the Election Day materials for the Ondo 2024 off-cycle gubernatorial election.
Ahead of the Ondo State 2024 gubernatorial election, the forum urged youths in the state to refrain from engaging in hate speech, disinformation, and electoral violence, while encouraging them to actively participate in all aspects of the election.
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