In a move to enhance democratic inclusivity, a bill seeking to amend the Constitution to allow Nigerians living abroad to vote has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.
The bill, co-sponsored by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Sodeeq Abdullahi, aims to update the 2022 Electoral Act, potentially enabling millions of Nigerians in the diaspora to participate in the electoral process.
During Wednesday’s plenary session, lawmakers engaged in a robust debate on the importance of extending voting rights to include Nigerians residing outside the country. Speaker Tajudeen highlighted the initiative as a significant step towards achieving a more inclusive and representative democracy.
Originally tabled in July, the bill successfully passed its second reading and was subsequently referred to the Committee on Electoral Matters for a thorough legislative review. After further deliberation on Tuesday, it has now been forwarded to the Constitution Amendment Committee for additional examination.
