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Right to vote and be voted for, must be a bedrock in any democratic state likewise in Nigeria.
Franchise under democratic system of government gets the same priority accorded as right to life.
It must be protected, though the constitution didn’t directly provide any proviso with regard to right to vote and to be voted for, however it can be seen under the interpretative say of section 77(2) of CFRN as amended:
“Every citizen of Nigeria, who attained the age of eighteen years residing in Nigeria at the time of the registration of voters for purpose of election to a legislative house, shall be entitled to be registered as a voter for that election”
Respect of human right, fundamental freedom and genuine election are essential elements of democracy, as such the right to vote is an indispensable right and the fulcrum upon which democracy rests.
Franchise is a universal democratic issue in which every democratic state must adopt, under the Universal Declaration of Human Right Article 21 states that
” the will of the people shall be the basic of the authority of government this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine election which shall be universal and equal suffrage ”
And also this right enshrined in the International Covenant On Civil and Political Right (1966) particularly article 25, which recognized that “every citizen has the right to vote and to be elected at genuine periodic election which shall be universal and equal suffrage ”
Since Nigeria took democratic system of government as a model for administration, franchise must be in existence in order to met the universal democratic model. Notwithstanding, if people place a premium on our voting right as we do to right to life and dignity of the human person, people must decline to sell they votes for just mere kobos or a plate of pottage, this understanding can only be achieved through a renewal of our minds, and the recognition of right to vote as fundamental human right and these will go a long way in reshaping the mind of the citizenry.
In this regard it, is believed that although this may not solve our electoral challenges, it would be a formidable step on the path toward achieving true democracy.
Umar is a 300-level student of the faculty of Law, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.
This is a very interllectual write up Bravo I hope we contenue to contribute to the voice of the voiceless Nigerians Law Student is not just there to earn the name law’ without puting it to a practical aspect.
Keep it up and i hope others will also join hands to contribute to our legal problems in Nigeria and suggest a possible solutions to it,
HAVEING THE WILL OR VISSION THAT YOU WANT TO BE A LAWYER, IS NOT ENOUGH, YOU MUST ALSO HAVE THE CAPACITY, BRAVENESS TO PRACTICE IT ACCORDINGLY.
Faranchise is a right not a privilage and it most be given due respect for a better practice of democracy.
the constitution also attest to it in the section provided by learning colleague sec 77(2). right to vote, and also the provision in sec106 qualification for election as a member of a house of Assembly. subject to the provision of sec107 of the constitution FRN1999. A person shall be qualified for election as a member of a house of assemble if-
(a) he is a citizen of Nigeri;
(b)he has attained the age of thirty years;
(c)he has been educated up to school certificate level or equivalent; and
(b)he is a member of a political part and is spornsord by the party.
same applies to other political officess.
I hope we will be courageous to keep up the goodworks and be loyal to the constututional provision wish is a suprem law of our country.
THANK YOU
Thnx u bro, I acknowledged ur recommendation
Quite sure is a stepping stone to start solving election problems.
Thnx u, I acknowledged ur recommendation
Sounds quite wise and thoughtful. May I volunteer a follow-up question? It’s just that..there are some other lessons that synergize with this.