In a significant move towards electoral reform, the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters have joined forces to address pressing issues surrounding youth participation in elections.
This collaborative effort aims to drive reforms that will not only enhance the electoral legal framework but also encourage greater engagement from young voters, shaping a more inclusive and representative democracy.
The Chairman of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, has reaffirmed the legislature’s dedication to reforming the electoral legal framework to ensure a positive, effective, and efficient leadership recruitment process.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day Southwest Zonal Legislative Interactive Session in Ibadan, Senator Alli emphasised the importance of engaging young people in the electoral process.
Organized by the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters in collaboration with KIMPACT Development Initiative and the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the interactive session centered around the theme: “Legislation and the participation of young people in elections.”
Senator Alli, representing Oyo South Senatorial district, however, announced that the Joint Technical Committee’s formation and its ongoing efforts to reform the Electoral Act, 2022, which began in October 2023 is a commitment from the leadership of the 10th National Assembly to demonstrate a focus on improving the electoral legal framework and encouraging greater youth involvement in the democratic process.
“The Committee is scheduled to carry out zonal legislative interactive session with different stakeholders and interest groups across the country. These sessions is the leadership strategy of legislative inclusiveness, bringing the legislative process closer to the people and getting everyone involved in the process,” Alli said.
He said the south-west zonal legislative interactive session is deliberately structured to allow young people to participate and engage with the Honorable members and Distinguished Senators of the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters on their electoral reform ideas and priorities.
“We cannot but get young Nigerians involved in drawing-up the political work plan and determination of the architecture of your
future as active citizens of our great Nation.”
“for us, we believe the opinion gathered here are not only important but are required inputs for the future of elections and the electoral process in Nigeria.”
He called on the gathering to see the event as a positive strive towards achieving the renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu led administration.
Also in his address, Chairman, House Committee On Electoral Matters, House of Representatives Hon.Adebayo Balogun, noted that the participation of young people in the democratic process especially national elections is not just desirable but imperative considering their participation in the last general elections.
“Today, we embark on a journey to explore the Legislative framework that facilitate their engagement in the electoral process or otherwise, and we will seek innovative solutions to
further enhance their participation in future elections.
“The emergence of new trends fueled by technological advancements and very dynamic societal norms, pose challenges and opportunities.”
“As we strive to amend our Electoral Act 2022, we nust seek to accommodate very useful and insightful legislative framework to make the participation of our young people more visible and audible.”
Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Dr. Tella Adeniran assured the youth of the Commission’s continued support urging then to Nigerian to take active part in governance.
“I urge you to also do your part by participating actively in all the elective posts,” he said.
According to him, the legislative arm of government has done its bit by passing into law the ‘Not To Young To Run Bill”. As such, the onus is now on you to brace up with the reality on ground and to hit the ground running come 2027 General Elections.
In a keynote address messages, the Executive Director, KIMPACT Development Initiative, (KDI), Bukola Idowu, stated that the legislative interactive session will provide an opportunity for young people and youth-focused organisations to contribute to the electoral process beyond our social media conversations.
He, noted however, that the legislative interactive session is the first occasion on which the National Assembly will specifically interact with young people regarding elections.
Similarly, the Senior Resident Director, National Democratic Institute (NDI) Dr. Kelley Jones also assured that the institute will ensure that all young persons are given the opportunity to participate in politics adding that the NDI will continue to support the democratic dispensation in the ongoing legislative reform.
Various representatives of Youth organisations advocated for the independence of the country’s electoral umpire for a free,fair and credible electoral system.
In attendance at the occasion include, a former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja; traditional rulers in the state and representives of youth organisations from the southwest states.
