Why Nigerians In Diaspora Should Be Allowed To Vote – Speaker Abbas
Election is an integral part of every nation as who leads or governs a Nation determines how far a nation can go in terms of development and other areas.
In some developed Nations like the United States of America (USA), citizens are able to vote from any part of the world where they are and their votes are usually counted and forms a part of who is voted in to office.
However, in Nigeria, the reverse is the case as Nigerians in Diaspora cannot vote from where they are but are left with the option of returning to Nigeria to exercise their franchise.
This is a limitation as many are not able to return during elections for various reasons.
Giving his two cents on this, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen noted that, it is lawful that all citizens irrespective of their location anywhere in the globe are given the opportunity to vote in a general election.
The Speaker said this in a bill for an Act to Provide for the Rights of Nigerian Citizens Living Outside the country to vote in certain elections conducted at home which has passed second reading in the House of Representatives.
In the bill, the Speaker argued that Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) grants citizens the fundamental right of freedom of expression and opinion.
He said, “All citizens therefore irrespective of their location anywhere in the globe should be given that right and freedom to express themselves in our country’s general election.”
He further argued that, “It is widely believed that diaspora remittances have contributed remarkably to the development of Nigeria. Nigerians in diaspora make considerable contribution to the Nigerian economy through huge financial inflow to the country. Sadly, existing laws in Nigeria have not made any provision granting voting rights to Nigerians in diaspora.”
Giving details, Abbas disclosed that, “Section 1 of the bill guarantees the voting rights of Nigerian citizens living outside Nigeria. The section provides that elections to be conducted under this Act if passed shall include elections which the Commission is empowered by law while Section 4 provides that this Act if passed shall not invalidate existing laws in Nigeria. It only provides a platform for Nigerians in diaspora to participate in elections conducted in Nigeria.”
