The Youth-led Electoral Reform Project (YERP_Naija), a consortium led by Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), has called on the National Assembly to make electoral reforms a top priority as it resumes plenary sitting this month.

In a New Year statement issued on Thursday, the Executive Director of KDI and National Coordinator of the YERP_Naija campaign, Bukola Idowu, urged federal lawmakers to fast-track amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act and undertake key constitutional reviews aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral integrity and expanding inclusion.

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Idowu noted that while the 2022 Electoral Act marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey, gaps identified during recent elections require urgent legislative attention to enhance transparency, credibility and public confidence in the electoral process.

According to him, proposed reforms should address issues bordering on the conduct of elections, the role of technology, internal party democracy, and the participation of young people, women and persons with disabilities in the electoral process.

The KDI-led YERP_Naija campaign also emphasised the need for collaboration between the legislature, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society organisations and other stakeholders to ensure that reforms reflect lessons learned from past elections.

The group expressed optimism that timely legislative action by the National Assembly would help consolidate democratic gains and promote credible, inclusive and peaceful elections ahead of future electoral cycles in the country.