NYSC, Civil Society Endorse Senator Yaradua’s Early Voting Bill as Path to Inclusive Elections

Support has continued to grow for the proposed early voting bill championed by Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, as key stakeholders in Nigeria’s electoral process describe the initiative as a major step toward inclusive and credible elections.

Brigadier General O.O. Nafiu, Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), hailed the bill as a long-overdue reform, stating that over 50% of election ad-hoc staff are corps members who are currently deprived of the right to vote due to their national assignments.

“We are fully in support of this bill. It addresses the unfairness experienced by corps members who contribute to the success of elections but are denied the opportunity to participate. Elections are a national duty—and so is voting,” Brigadier General Nafiu declared.

Similarly, Mr. Samson Itodo of Yiaga Africa, a prominent civil society leader, praised the proposed legislation, emphasizing its potential to improve trust in the electoral process. “A credible election begins with inclusion. If corps members are empowered to vote, we eliminate one of the major sources of voter disenfranchisement,” he said. “The bill reflects good research and real commitment to electoral reform.”

The growing support for the bill follows a recent advocacy visit by Senator Yar’Adua to the NYSC headquarters in Abuja. The Katsina Central lawmaker, who sponsored the amendment to the Electoral Act, explained that the bill aims to address the disenfranchisement of over one million Nigerians who serve as essential and ad-hoc staff during elections.

According to Senator Yar’Adua, the proposed law would introduce early voting at least seven days before the general election, allowing eligible groups—such as NYSC members, security personnel, and electoral officials—to cast their votes in advance.

Key Features of the Early Voting Bill include Eligibility and Registration whereby Individuals must apply at least 30 days before the early voting date, and must be deemed eligible by the electoral commission and Implementation whereby INEC will designate early voting centers and conduct voting not more than seven days before the general election.

Yar’Adua stressed that early voting is not a foreign concept. “It is already being practiced in developed countries and African nations like South Africa and Ghana. Nigeria, as the giant of Africa, must follow suit and ensure no eligible citizen is left out.”

He called on all electoral stakeholders and fellow lawmakers to support the bill’s passage through the National Assembly.

“An inclusive process strengthens democracy,” the senator said. “When we empower every citizen, especially those serving the nation on election day, we deepen trust in our system.”