A coalition of Sokoto youth groups has appealed to the National assembly members, especially from the state, to ensure the issue of electoral reforms is given special consideration ahead of the constitutional amendment
The coalition, in a press statement signed by its chairman, Yusuf Muhammad Ladan, and made available to newsmen in the state on Sunday, urged Senator Aliyu Wamakko and Honourable Abdulsamad Dasuki, who are members of the committee in the state, to consider the electoral reform as a top priority.
“We are a coalition of youth groups actively engaging young people across Nigeria. Supported by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the consortium collaborates with partner organizations in all six geo-political zones, as well as youth networks in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“In Sokoto State, our initiatives are implemented by JDev Foundation.
“As members of the Sokoto team, we are using this platform to call on Senator Aliyu Wamakko and Honourable Abdulsamad Dasuki, who we know are part of the Sokoto State Constitution Review Committee, to consider the following recommendations that the Sokoto team has consistently advocated for:
“Establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission. An independent body should be created to prosecute electoral offenders and uphold the integrity of elections.
“Post-Election Petition Resolutions, in which all post-election disputes should be resolved before the inauguration of elected officials to ensure stability and fairness.
“NEC Leadership Selection Process Reform; this will promote an independent selection committee should be established to nominate INEC leadership to the National Assembly, removing political influence from the process.
It also includes “Timely Transmission of Election Results, in which Electronic transmission of election results should be implemented from all collation levels to a central location to ensure transparency and speed.
The group also called on the former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to use his influence in the Senate to help bring these recommendations to reality, as they would significantly reform Nigeria’s electoral system.
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