Election: Youths Seek Electronic Transmission Of Results, Others

Ahead of the 2027 general election, Nigerian youths have advocated for the stipulation of punishment for electoral offenders and mandatory electronic transmission of results at the polling units across the country.

At the Youth and National Assembly Dialogue on Electoral Reforms in Abuja yesterday, the team lead of the Kimpact Development Initiative, Bukola Idowu, called for urgent electoral reforms by the National Assembly to boost youth participation and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.

He has expressed support for reforms that would ensure the immediate electronic transmission of election results, saying such measures were critical to enhancing transparency and public confidence in country’s electoral process.

He said the group was holding discussions with the National Assembly on critical reform areas aimed at strengthening electoral integrity and encouraging young people to participate in politics.

According to him, two major reforms are the focus of the advocacy: punishment of electoral offenders and strong legislative backing on the use of election technology, particularly the electronic transmission of results.

He lamented that past elections have been marred by violence, intimidation, harassment and rigging, adding that the 2023 general election was particularly disappointing for many young people who turned out in large numbers to vote for positive change.

“Despite the widespread irregularities recorded during the election, no one has been properly brought to book over the major infractions that occurred. This lack of accountability discourages participation, especially among young voters,” he said.

Similarly, the chairman of Young Parliamentarian Forum, Hon. Olamijuwonla Alao-Akala, expressed support for reforms that would ensure the immediate electronic transmission of election results.

He said such measures were critical to enhancing transparency and public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

He said that although the National Assembly was still debating the issue, he believes that the reforms are necessary to prevent manipulation of results between polling units and collation centres.