Stakeholders have renewed calls on the National Assembly to pass the proposed diaspora voting bill, arguing that Nigerians living abroad should be given the opportunity to participate in the country’s electoral process.
The demand was made during a town hall organised by News Central Television in New York on Saturday, where participants discussed the need to strengthen political participation among Nigerians in the diaspora.
The stakeholders urged lawmakers to prioritise the legislation and establish a legal framework that would enable eligible Nigerians residing outside the country to vote in future elections.
They argued that Nigerians in the diaspora remain an important part of the country’s population and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic and social development.
The call comes amid growing advocacy for electoral reforms ahead of future general elections, with proponents of diaspora voting maintaining that Nigerians abroad should not be excluded from exercising their civic rights because of their location.
The stakeholders also called for broader engagement between the National Assembly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Nigerians in the diaspora to address the legal, technological and administrative requirements for implementing diaspora voting.
They maintained that the passage of the bill would represent a significant step towards expanding political participation and strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.
