…in response to Nwakuche’s appeal for INEC to extend certain democratic rights to prison inmates.
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has announced that prison inmates in Nigeria will be allowed to vote in future elections, including the 2027 general polls, in line with a recent Appeal Court judgement.
Yakubu made this known while receiving the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, at INEC Headquarters in Abuja on Friday, August 8. He confirmed that the appellate court had granted inmates the legal right to register and participate in elections, and the commission was working on modalities to implement the decision.
The INEC boss said several meetings had been held with the Correctional Service to address practical issues, including access to prison facilities, categories of eligible inmates, and concerns raised by political parties. He noted that only inmates covered by the court’s judgement would benefit from the new voting arrangement.
Yakubu also stressed the importance of engaging the National Assembly to address legislative gaps, saying the commission remained committed to conducting the process strictly within the limits of the law.
“We are determined to allow inmates to vote in any election, provided it is done in compliance with existing laws. The Appeal Court judgement has given clarity, and we will work with the Nigeria Correctional Service to ensure proper implementation,” Yakubu said.
His remarks came in response to Nwakuche’s appeal for INEC to extend certain democratic rights to prison inmates, particularly those awaiting trial.
According to the Comptroller General, there are over 81,000 inmates across the country’s correctional centres, with about 66 percent awaiting trial. He argued that denying these individuals the right to vote amounted to disenfranchisement, especially since they have not been convicted of any crime.
Nwakuche cited a recent court ruling affirming the right of eligible inmates to vote, saying it was time for Nigeria to align with global best practices that recognise the political rights of persons in custody.
With this move, Nigeria would join a growing list of countries where incarcerated individuals, especially those awaiting trial, are allowed to participate in democratic elections.
