We are committed to improving electoral legal framework, says NASS – The Nation Newspaper
The leadership of the 10th National Assembly on Thursday said they are committed to improving the electoral legal framework in Nigeria.
The chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, said the step was to bring a leadership strategy of legislative inclusiveness, bringing the legislative process closer to people and getting everyone involved in the process.
Speaking in Ibadan at the Southwest Zonal Legislative Interactive Session, organised by the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters, Alli said the event was deliberately structured for 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.
He said: “We believe the opinions gathered here are not only important but are required inputs for the future of elections and the electoral process in Nigeria.
“We cannot but get you 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.
“The theme for this event is a deliberate step into the future of elections in Nigeria: what it should be, how the process should run seamlessly and how it should be technologically driven to make the work of the electoral umpire easier and devoid of electoral violence while avoiding any form of exclusion from the electoral process.
“Post-election commentaries have shown that the electoral administration in Nigeria is an uphill task and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cannot and should not be overburdened rather the Commission must be given all the required support to succeed in its quest to conduct free, fair and credible elections.”
He however said the event would serve as a positive strive towards achieving the renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is also committed to reforming the electoral legal framework for a positive, effective, and efficient leadership recruitment process in Nigeria.
In his remark, the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Adebayo Balogun said the theme of the event is important considering unprecedented youth participation in the last General Election in Nigeria.
According to him, the participation of young people in the democratic process especially national elections is not just desirable but imperative.
“The participation of young people in general elections or the electoral process is defined by many factors, notably among economic which are political awareness, Education, Conditions, Political Culture, access to information and technology, Youth Representation, Civic Education, Social Networks, Peer influence, Trust in the Electoral Process, and Legal and Institutional framework considering their newfound enthusiasm, energy, ideas and aspirations.
“Today, we embark on a journey to explore the Legislative framework that facilitates 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 must seek to accommodate a very useful and insightful legislative framework to make the participation of our young people more visible and audible.”
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Residents Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State, Dr. Adeniran Tella said elections remain one of the major tools in participating in governance which Nigerian youths should not be an exception.
The program, theme: Legislation and Participation of Young People in Elections: The Emerging Trends had in attendance the former governor of Oyo State, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja, Sen. Yaya Abdulahi, Hon. Abass Adigun Agboworin, and the Special Adviser to Osun State governor on Legal Matters, Nurudeen Kareem among others.
- The Nation
