Kano Youths March for Electoral Reforms
AREWA AGENDA – A youth activism initiative, #ReadyToLeadAfrica, Kano Chapter, has embarked on an electoral reform march to submit demands to the Senator Representing Kano Central, Senator Malam Ibrahim Shekarau.
The group which aims at promoting constitutional democracy and civic engagement submitted its electoral reform demand through the Senator’s personal assistant Musbahu Shamaki, today as part of their contribution in the efforts to get a new electoral legal framework for Nigeria ahead of 2023 General Elections.
The Kano state leader of the group, Bello Shehu told reporters that the march is a nationwide move by the Youths as the whole 36 states of the federation are conducting their march to various Constituency offices of one chosen Senator of each state.
While presenting the demands to Senator Malam Ibrahim Shekarau through his personal assistant, Mr. Shehu said the demands are well arranged and articulated to seek for the Electoral Reforms as the nation is heading to another era of Election in Nigeria come 2023.
“The expected year for youths, women and persons living with disability to exercise their legal right of votes and make sure their votes are counted without any iota of doubt through technological methods in election process and announcement of official result ranging from polling unit level to be posted on INEC website or any other public accessible platform is now with us.”
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Part of groups demand include the voting rights of Nigerians in Diaspora which seeks for the amendment of Section 6 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2020 to read as follows;
“There shall be established in each State of the Federation, Federal Capital Territory and any Nigerian sovereign territory situated outside of Nigeria which shall include the Nigerian High Commission or Consular offices, an office of the Commission which shall perform such functions as may be assigned to it, from time to time, by the Commission.”
It also demanded inclusion for youths, women and people living with disabilities urging for amendment of Section 31(1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 by inserting a new subsection (2) to read: “Every political party shall include women, youth, and persons living with disabilities in the list of candidates it seeks to sponsor in an election. Provided that not more than two-third of the candidates shall be the same gender.”
Furthermore, it made demanded for provisions to allow a person to apply for and cast a special vote prior to election day, if, on election day, that person cannot vote at a polling unit where they register as a voter especially if the individual is an election observer, media personnel, security agency on duty on election day and official of the election management body.
Acknowledging the receipt of the demands the personal assistant to the Senator confirmed that, he will convey the message of the youth with immediate effect to his boss and encouraged the youth leaders to be on their foot for any other demands that can yield a positive result to their generation.
He later thanked the youths for choosing Senator Ibrahim Shekarau as the focal Senator to convey their message to the Senate Chamber from the State.
Arewa Agenda is a Publication of Young writers/journalist from Northern Nigeria towards Peaceful Coexistence and National Development through positive narratives
