The Independent National Electoral Commission says it is working with the Nigeria Correctional Service on ways to enable eligible inmates to vote in elections. INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this in Abuja on Friday while receiving the Comptroller General of the service, Sylvester Nwakuche. He cited court rulings affirming the right of certain inmates, particularly those awaiting trial, to register and vote.
Mr Yakubu said the Commission would engage the National Assembly for legal clarity, noting that electoral laws currently leave room for varied interpretations, especially concerning inmates on death row, those serving life sentences, or those convicted of treason. He also outlined logistical issues to be addressed, including access to facilities for registration, polling units, campaigns, and observer participation.
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The INEC chairman referenced previous meetings with the Correctional Service, which had provided data on the locations and categories of federal correctional facilities nationwide. He said most inmates are on remand and may already be registered voters. Mr Yakubu stressed the need for transparency and stakeholder engagement to ensure the process meets legal and operational requirements.
Mr Nwakuche said there are more than 81,000 inmates in Nigeria, with about 66 percent awaiting trial. He backed extending voting rights to eligible inmates, citing a Court of Appeal ruling in 2019 that upheld their constitutional right to vote, while noting that the court stopped short of ordering INEC to set up registration centres in prisons.
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