By Ghazali Ibrahim
In a major shift toward inclusive electoral reform, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced its intention to begin allowing prison inmates to participate in Nigeria’s elections.
This development could reshape democratic participation for thousands of citizens behind bars.
The Commission’s Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the disclosure on Friday during a meeting with the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja.
Citing a 2019 Court of Appeal judgment that affirmed the right of inmates to vote, Yakubu said the Commission is working to implement the ruling within the boundaries of existing laws.
He acknowledged that practical logistics, including secure access to facilities and political stakeholder concerns, have been longstanding barriers, but affirmed INEC’s commitment to overcoming them.
“We are committed to ensuring that citizens who are incarcerated but not legally disenfranchised are given their constitutional right to vote,” Yakubu stated.
“This is subject to legal provisions, and we will continue engaging with the relevant authorities, including the National Assembly, to ensure a seamless process.”
The Commission has already initiated discussions with the Correctional Service to assess how to register eligible inmates and facilitate voting within secure environments.
In response, Nwakuche emphasized the need for Nigeria’s democracy to extend beyond prison walls, particularly for inmates awaiting trial.
He revealed that over 81,000 people are currently in correctional facilities nationwide, with 66% awaiting trial, many of whom, he argued, remain legally entitled to vote.
“These individuals have not been convicted and, therefore, should not be denied their civic rights,” Nwakuche said.
While the 2019 court judgment gave inmates the right to be registered and to vote, it fell short of compelling INEC to establish voter registration centres inside correctional facilities.
Nonetheless, the ruling laid a foundation for the Commission to act.
This latest move by INEC may require policy adjustments or fresh legislation, particularly to address concerns around voter privacy, party monitoring, and the security of the electoral process within prisons.
Yakubu noted that National Assembly support will be critical in formalizing the process.
If implemented, Nigeria would be joining a growing list of countries that allow voting rights for incarcerated individuals.
