By Nwimo Law
Catch Them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI) has urged South-East youth to leverage the amended Electoral Act to build a more inclusive and participatory democracy.
CATYCOI's Executive Director, Comrade Nonso Orakwe, made the call in a statement he made available to journalists in Enugu State on Thursday.
He said, "The amended Electoral Act presents a unique opportunity for young people to drive change.
"We must leverage these reforms to build a more inclusive and participatory democracy. This is a moment for young people to shape the future of our country and ensure that our democracy serves the needs of all Nigerians."
Orakwe encouraged South-East youth to take advantage of the new electoral reforms to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance, saying that they must ensure that their voices were heard and their votes counted.
CATYCOI also highlighted new voter registration requirements under the amended Electoral Act. According to him, citizens must now present valid identification, such as a birth certificate from the National Population Commission, a Nigerian passport, or a National Identification Number (NIN), to register as voters. He called on youths to share the information within their communities to ensure many people comply.
CATYCOI noted that it is utilizing multiple outreach channels to engage citizens, including jingles, radio programs, and other community-based platforms to ensure widespread awareness and participation.
As a South-East partner on YERP-NAIJA, CATYCOI reaffirmed its commitment to advancing youth-led electoral reforms and strengthening democratic participation across the region.
Reinforcing this commitment, CATYCOI called on South-East youth to actively participate in all stages 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 opportunity to shape a more transparent, accountable, and inclusive electoral system.”