The chairman Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has given the reasons why Nigerians in diaspora can’t vote in the 2023 elections.
Speaking at Chatham House in London on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, the INEC boss said he wanted Nigerians abroad to participate in the 2023 general election but the commission does not have the power to make diaspora voting possible.
Yakubu was invited to the Chatham House to speak on a topic: “Nigeria’s 2023 election preparation and priorities for electoral integrity and inclusion”
He said Voting by those in the diaspora should be a settled issue. I support it but INEC doesn’t have the power to make it happen. They’re citizens and they must enjoy rights,” he said.
It would be recalled that in 2022, the electoral body urged the National Assembly to amend sections of the Constitution and the Electoral Act (2010 as amended) to make way for Nigerians living outside the country to participate in their country’s electoral process.Unfortunately, the request was turned down by the National assembly.
The commission said it believed that Nigerians living outside the country should have the right to vote because they are citizens who make considerable contributions to the economy through huge financial inflow to the country.
However, during his speech at Chatham House, Yakubu said the commission has promised Nigerians and friends of Nigerians that the 2023 general election would be free, fair, and credible.
He said the electoral body is satisfied with its preparations for the 2023 general elections, adding that they have left no stone unturned in preparing for the exercise.
