ngyouthagenda

2.1.2 Voting Rights for Election Day Workers (Election observers, Security agents,health workers): A democratic society provides an enabling environment forthe participation of all its citizens in democratic processes. Thedisenfranchisement of Election Day workers is an undemocratic practicecontrary to the precepts of democracy and universal standards. Over 80% ofelection observers deployed during elections are largely dominated by youngpeople who are not permitted to exercise their civic right due to theoperationalization of the Electoral Act, 2010 (As Amended) and the schedulingof elections. On the average, INEC deploys over 300,000 NYSC members whoare Nigerian citizens but disenfranchised due to no fault of theirs. Early voting should be mainstreamed into our electoral process viaan amendment to the Electoral Act so that Election Day workers canvote days before the official voting day. Countries like Ghana andKenya have early voting system that Nigeria can adopt.2.1.3 Deployment of Technology to Improve Election management and YouthParticipation: The electoral landscape across Africa and the rest of theworld has been influenced significantly by technology and social media.It would be akin to institutional sabotage for any election managementbody not to seek appropriate and immediate avenues to streamlinerecent technology and new media into its election managementactivities. The use of technology for election reduces the chances ofelectoral manipulations and fraud. Section 52(2) of the Electoral Act 2010 should be amended to allow thedeployment of technology to carry out electronic registration,accreditation on Election Day and collation of results.15