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Some participants at the forum
A coalition of civil society groups and public institutions has called for sweeping reforms in Nigeria’s electoral system, including greater use of technology, more transparency in party primaries, and a reduction in the cost of nomination forms to encourage youth participation in politics.
The recommendations were made on Tuesday in Abuja during a National Multi-Stakeholder Coordination Forum on Electoral Reforms organised by the Youth Electoral Reform Project (YERP-Naija). Participants included representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yiaga Africa, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and the media.
Chairperson of the NBA Electoral Reform Committee, Monday Ubani (SAN), urged that the use of the Bi-Modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) should be made compulsory in all elections to enhance credibility and reduce malpractice. He also suggested that all elections be conducted on the same day to cut costs and minimise manipulation.
On post-election litigation, Mr Ubani recommended amending the Electoral Act, 2022 to make documentary evidence, rather than oral evidence, the primary basis for proving electoral non-compliance. He argued this would reduce ambiguity and speed up court decisions.
Speakers also raised concerns about the high cost of nomination forms imposed by political parties, which they argued restricts participation by young people and women.
Mr Ubani noted that nomination fees in some parties were so prohibitive that they undermined inclusivity and democracy. Similarly, Zigwai Ayuba, Executive Director of J-DEV, stressed that Nigerians must interrogate the high cost of elections, as politicians often attempt to recover such expenses after gaining office.
Abimbola Aladejare-Salako, YERP-Naija coordinator for the South-West, criticised political parties for deploying young people as tools for personal interests instead of treating them as stakeholders. She also highlighted the dangers of misinformation on social media and urged that election disputes should be resolved in court before swearing-in.
A representative of Yiaga Africa, Anthonia Onda, called for early voting for election officials and security agents to guarantee inclusiveness and protect their voting rights.
Speakers stressed that electoral reform recommendations must be matched with civic action to ensure implementation. Omolara Akinyeye, Deputy Director at PLAC, urged civil society to take strategic and knowledge-driven steps.
YERP-Naija disclosed that it would sustain advocacy efforts through one-on-one meetings with lawmakers, press briefings, multi-stakeholder forums, and joint actions with the National Assembly and state assemblies before the ongoing reform process is concluded.
According to Oluwafemi Adebayo, Head of Research and Strategy at Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), Tuesday’s event marked the third phase of YERP-Naija’s project on electoral reform. The first two phases involved youth engagements and one-on-one meetings in which 171 legislators pledged support for the coalition’s priorities.
YERP-Naija is a youth-led coalition of civil society organisations advocating for electoral reforms in Nigeria. The project is coordinated by leaders from across the country’s six geopolitical zones, including Bukola Idowu (National & North-Central), Zigwai Ayuba (North-West), Ashraf Tukur (North-East), Abimbola Aladejare-Salako (South-West), Nonso Orakwe (South-East), and Israel Orekha (South-South).
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