The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that it will grant prison inmates the right to vote in future elections, following a landmark judgment by the Appeal Court.
The INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, made this announcement on Friday during a meeting with the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), Sylvester Nwakuche, at the INEC Headquarters in Abuja.
Yakubu referenced the recent ruling by the Appeal Court, which affirmed that inmates, particularly those awaiting trial, have the right to register and vote in elections. This ruling marks a significant shift in the electoral rights of prisoners, with INEC now working to make the necessary adjustments for this change to take place.
During the meeting, Yakubu emphasized the importance of collaboration between INEC and the NCS to ensure smooth implementation. This will involve addressing logistical issues, such as providing inmates with access to voting facilities and accommodating concerns from political parties. He also stressed the need for the National Assembly’s intervention to ensure full legal alignment and clarity on the matter.
Background on the Court Ruling
The right for prisoners to vote was reaffirmed by the Court of Appeal in 2019 when it ruled that inmates especially those awaiting trial should not be denied their fundamental right to vote in elections. The case was brought forward by five inmates who filed an appeal on behalf of others incarcerated across Nigeria’s prisons.
The court decision, however, did not direct INEC to set up registration centres within prisons, but it did establish that inmates should be included in the voter register, paving the way for future participation in elections.
The Inmate Voting Debate
There are currently over 81,000 inmates in Nigerian correctional facilities, with approximately 66% of them awaiting trial. Nwakuche, the Comptroller General of NCS, highlighted that these individuals are entitled to exercise their civic duty, especially as many of them are still in the judicial process and have not been convicted.
This move by INEC represents a significant shift towards inclusivity in Nigeria’s electoral system, ensuring that all citizens regardless of their incarceration status have access to the democratic process. The decision is in line with the broader push for electoral reforms that promote wider participation and transparency in Nigerian elections.
The implementation of this new policy will require careful planning and logistical coordination between INEC, the NCS, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the process is fair, transparent, and accessible to all eligible voters.
