The Catch Them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI) has called on young people in Nigeria’s South-East to take full advantage of the amended Electoral Act as a pathway to building a more inclusive and participatory democratic system.
CATYCOI’s Executive Director, Comrade Nonso Orakwe, made the appeal in a statement issued to journalists in Enugu State on Thursday.
“The amended Electoral Act presents a unique opportunity for young people to drive meaningful change,” Orakwe said.
“We must leverage these reforms to build a democracy that is inclusive, participatory, and responsive to the needs of all Nigerians. This is a defining moment for youth to shape the future of our country.”
He urged young people across the region to embrace the reforms by promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance, stressing the importance of ensuring their voices are heard and their votes count.
Orakwe also highlighted updated voter registration requirements under the amended Electoral Act.
He noted that citizens must present valid identification such as a birth certificate issued by the National Population Commission, a Nigerian passport, or a National Identification Number (NIN).
Orakwe encouraged youths to spread this information within their communities to boost compliance and participation.
To deepen awareness, CATYCOI said it is deploying a mix of outreach strategies, including radio programmes, jingles, and grassroots community engagement initiatives aimed at mobilising citizens.
As a South-East partner on YERP-NAIJA, the organisation reaffirmed its commitment to promoting youth-driven electoral reforms and strengthening democratic participation across the region.
Active engagement
Reinforcing this stance, CATYCOI urged South-East youth to engage actively in every stage 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 chance to build a more transparent, accountable, and inclusive electoral system.”
