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Senate working on allowing Nigerians in diaspora vote in elections

Lawan says the National Assembly is not opposed to diaspora voting.
Nigerian senators [Tope Brown]
Nigerian senators [Tope Brown]

Senate President Ahmad Lawan says lawmakers are committed to making it possible for Nigerians residing abroad to participate in elections.

Nigeria has over 80 million registered voters, but citizens living in diaspora cannot vote, a situation many have demanded should be fixed.

During a meeting with the head of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, Lawan said the National Assembly is not opposed to the idea.

He said lawmakers are already working with Nigerians in diaspora to figure out how diaspora voting can work effectively.

"Diaspora voting is a wish for all of us, and when we reach there, we must ensure that every part of our diaspora community in every part of the world is given the opportunity to participate," he said.

The Senate President said lawmakers are committed to polishing the nation's electoral system and making it transparent.

He said the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, passed in July, will aid in that goal once it is signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

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