By mercy Peter
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated its commitment to working towards the inclusion of inmates in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the disclosure during an audience with the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, at the INEC Conference Room in Abuja.
Yakubu commended the long-standing collaboration between INEC and the NCoS, particularly in election security.
He acknowledged the Correctional Service’s consistent participation in the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), noting that NCoS personnel have played key roles in supporting the Nigeria Police Force during elections.
However, the highlight of the meeting was the renewed conversation on voting rights for inmates, a topic that has gained traction in recent years, particularly following court rulings affirming such rights for inmates awaiting trial.
“The right to vote is a human right,” Yakubu stated. “Inmates, particularly those awaiting trial, cannot be denied this right solely on account of their temporary confinement. This is the practice in several countries, including Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa.”
He referenced two significant court judgments from the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal in Benin, delivered in 2014 and 2018 respectively which upheld the rights of inmates awaiting trial to participate in elections, in line with Nigeria’s Constitution and international conventions.
INEC and NCoS had previously established a joint technical committee to review the logistics of facilitating inmate voting.This included data sharing on correctional facilities, inmate population statistics, and the potential for voter registration, polling unit creation, and voter education within these facilities.
Yakubu acknowledged key issues raised by stakeholders, including access for political parties, election observers, and the media, as well as the legal framework currently limiting registration and voting to individuals not subject to “legal incapacity.”
He noted that the Electoral Act 2022 remains ambiguous on the eligibility of certain inmate categories, such as those on death row or convicted for treason.
“Our immediate task is to engage with the National Assembly for a clear legal provision on inmate voting. Thereafter, we can address specific implementation issues.”
The Chairman also expressed appreciation to civil society organisations for their continued advocacy, singling out the Carmelite Prisoners’ Interest Organization (CAPIO) for its work in advancing the cause of inmate enfranchisement.
He also welcomed the positive stance of the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Electoral Matters toward electoral inclusivity.
“We are united with you in our shared determination to extend voting rights to inmates in our correctional facilities,” Yakubu affirmed. “This meeting reaffirms our collective resolve to ensure that no eligible citizen is left behind.”
