AItes Launches Campaign for Electoral Reforms

A Gen Z–led, non-partisan civic advocacy group, The Altes, has launched a nationwide campaign to promote electoral reforms in Nigeria.
The organisation unveiled the initiative at a town hall meeting in Abuja themed “Power Back to the People,” marking the start of its advocacy drive.
Speaking at the event, peace and humanity advocate Aliyu Abbas Abubakar said the campaign, titled “Stronger Reform, Stronger Nation,” is aimed at mobilising young Nigerians to push for six priority reforms to improve transparency, accountability, and public trust in the electoral process.
He said the project will combine digital advocacy, policy engagement, youth mobilisation, media outreach, and partnerships to amplify youth voices and influence reform-oriented policies.
Abubakar noted that despite previous electoral reforms, the system still faces challenges, including concerns over the independence of the electoral management body, limited transparency in result transmission, prolonged election litigation, exclusion of election-duty personnel from voting, weak enforcement of electoral laws, and barriers to voter participation.
He said these issues have contributed to voter apathy and declining confidence in democratic institutions, especially among young people who make up more than 60 percent of the population.
In a paper presentation, Serigne Mamadou Ka urged young people to take a more active role in promoting democracy and participating in the electoral process.
The organisation said the campaign seeks to strengthen democracy by mobilising Gen Z Nigerians to advocate for credible, inclusive, and transparent elections.
It is pushing for six key reforms, including full independence for the electoral commission, compulsory electronic transmission of results, conclusion of electoral cases before swearing-in, special voting arrangements for election personnel, establishment of an electoral offences commission, and the use of alternative forms of voter identification.
Abubakar added that the campaign will focus on digital engagement, research and policy dialogue, youth mobilisation, and public awareness to influence policy commitments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He described the initiative as a call to action for citizens, particularly young people, to demand better electoral systems, participate actively, and hold institutions accountable.