Maureen Okpe
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has revealed plans to implement a framework that would allow prison inmates across Nigeria to exercise their right to vote in future elections.
This development follows a judgment from the Court of Appeal affirming the voting rights of inmates and comes as the commission intensifies consultations with relevant authorities to actualise the move.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this known on Friday during a courtesy visit by the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
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While addressing the delegation, Prof. Yakubu stressed INEC’s commitment to upholding the fundamental rights of all eligible Nigerians, including those currently serving time in correctional facilities.
According to him, “the commission has held previous engagements with the correctional service to deliberate on practical steps that would ensure inmates’ participation in the electoral process without compromising security, transparency, or fairness.”
He emphasised the need for synergy between both institutions to navigate the legal, logistical, and institutional barriers associated with the initiative.
Prof. Yakubu also acknowledged the role of political stakeholders and assured that, “INEC would continue to consult with political parties to address any concerns that may arise.”
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He noted that while the Appeal Court judgment has provided a strong legal backing, the involvement of the National Assembly will be essential in fine-tuning necessary amendments or legislative guidelines to fully integrate inmate voting into the country’s electoral framework.
“We are committed to expanding the democratic space and ensuring inclusivity in our electoral process.
“The right to vote is a constitutional right, and we will do everything within the law to uphold it,” Yakubu said.
On his part, Comptroller General Nwakuche applauded INEC’s proactive approach and pledged the support of the Correctional Service in facilitating secure and orderly participation of inmates when the time comes.
He noted that the service is ready to work closely with the electoral body to provide access to facilities, compile accurate data, and ensure that inmates who meet legal qualifications are not disenfranchised.
The move to enable inmates to vote is seen as a progressive step towards electoral inclusiveness and the protection of human rights in Nigeria. If successfully implemented, Nigeria would join a growing number of democracies that recognise voting rights for incarcerated citizens under specific conditions.
INEC has promised to make further announcements as it continues to work on the modalities, including voter registration, identification processes, and polling arrangements within correctional centres.