INEC, NCoS Push to Legalize Inmates Voting Right

INEC, NCoS Push to Legalize Inmates Voting Right

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) have renewed discussions on extending voting rights to eligible inmates in the country’s correctional facilities.

At a courtesy visit to the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Friday the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and NCoS Controller General, Sylvester Nwakuche, agreed to strengthen collaboration towards resolving legal, logistical and procedural issues that have so far hindered inmate participation in elections.

Yakubu stressed that the right to vote is a fundamental human right that should not be denied solely on account of incarceration, particularly for inmates awaiting trial.

“In many parts of the world, including some African countries such as Ghana, Kenya and South Africa where our officials have observed elections, inmates exercise the right to vote,” he said.

The INEC Chairman recalled that Nigerian courts had upheld the voting rights of some inmates.

He cited the 2014 Federal High Court and 2018 Court of Appeal judgments in Benin, which affirmed the right of five awaiting-trial inmates to vote, while noting that the decision to exercise the right remains voluntary.

He disclosed that a joint technical committee between INEC and NCoS had been set up in the past to address issues such as voter registration within correctional facilities, creation of polling units, voter education, and access for observers, political parties and the media.

“Working together, we can seize the opportunity of the ongoing electoral reform for a clear legal provision that will specifically cover citizens serving time in our correctional facilities,” Yakubu said.

Earlier, Nwakuche said the service was committed to ensuring that inmates who are Nigerian citizens and not legally incapacitated are able to participate in the electoral process.

“More than 60 per cent of the 81,000 inmates in Nigeria are awaiting trial. They are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and even while incarcerated, they still have rights,” he said.

The Controller General urged both institutions to address technical and legal grey areas in order to make inmate voting a reality.

Civil society groups, including the Carmelite Prisoners’ Interest Organization (CAPIO), have consistently advocated for inmate voting, while the National Assembly has also indicated support for more inclusive electoral processes.

Yakubu reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to working with the NCoS, legislators and stakeholders to ensure that eligible inmates are not disenfranchised in future elections.