Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Catch Them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI) has urged youths in the South-East to take advantage of the amended Electoral Act to promote a more inclusive and participatory democracy.
The organisation’s Executive Director, Comrade Nonso Orakwe, made the call in a statement issued to journalists on Thursday.
“The amended Electoral Act presents a unique opportunity for young people to drive change,” he said.
“We must leverage these reforms to build a more inclusive and participatory democracy. This is a moment for young people to shape the future of our country and ensure that our democracy serves the needs of all Nigerians.”
Orakwe encouraged young people in the region to utilise the new electoral provisions to advance transparency, accountability, and good governance, stressing the need for their voices to be heard and their votes to count.
He also highlighted updated voter registration requirements under the amended law, noting that prospective voters are now required to present valid identification—such as a birth certificate issued by the National Population Commission, a Nigerian passport, or a National Identification Number (NIN).
He urged youths to disseminate the information within their communities to ensure wider compliance.
CATYCOI further stated that it is deploying multiple outreach channels, including jingles, radio programmes, and other community-based platforms, to enhance awareness and participation.
As a South-East partner on YERP-NAIJA, the group reaffirmed its commitment to promoting youth-driven electoral reforms and strengthening democratic engagement across the region.
It also called on young people to actively participate in all stages of the 2027 general elections—from voter registration and civic education to voting and election observation.
“The future of our democracy depends on the active involvement of young people,” Orakwe added.
“This is our opportunity to shape a more transparent, accountable, and inclusive electoral system.”
