The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) are taking significant steps toward securing voting rights for eligible inmates across the country.
During a high-level meeting in Abuja, INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and NCoS Controller-General Sylvester Nwakuche reaffirmed their commitment to advancing inmates’ participation in Nigeria’s electoral process. Yakubu emphasized that the right to vote is a fundamental human right that should not be denied based solely on incarceration status, especially for those awaiting trial.
He cited legal precedents from the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal, which affirmed the right of inmates awaiting trial to vote. Yakubu noted that the commission had previously worked with NCoS to address technical and logistical challenges — such as setting up polling units in correctional facilities, facilitating voter registration, ensuring transparency, and accommodating political campaigns under controlled conditions.
“With the ongoing electoral reforms in the National Assembly, we have a chance to clearly define the legal framework for inmate voting and address any ambiguity in existing laws,” Yakubu said. He pointed to Section 12(1)(e) of the Electoral Act, which restricts voting to citizens not under any legal incapacity, noting the need for clarification on categories of inmates affected by this clause.
NCoS chief Nwakuche also stressed the urgency of the matter, highlighting that over 60% of Nigeria’s 81,000 inmates are awaiting trial and are legally presumed innocent. He said the visit to INEC was to explore practical ways to implement court rulings affirming inmates’ voting rights.
“We are here to ensure that eligible inmates are not denied their rights. Voting is a constitutional right, and incarceration should not erase that,” Nwakuche stated.
Both agencies agreed to intensify collaboration, work with lawmakers, and engage stakeholders to develop a clear, actionable path toward enfranchising inmates — a move they believe will strengthen democracy, inclusivity, and respect for fundamental rights in Nigeria.
