The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it is collaborating with the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) to address the voting rights of inmates.
Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the statement on Friday, during a meeting with the Comptroller General of the NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, at the electoral commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Prof. Yakubu emphasized the Appeal Court’s ruling that granted inmates the right to register and vote in elections.
“We recognize that the right to vote is a fundamental human right that cannot be revoked simply because an individual is serving time in a correctional facility.
“In various parts of the world, including some African nations like Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, inmates have exercised their voting rights.”
“As you know, elections are governed by laws. By collaborating, we can take advantage of the ongoing electoral reforms to establish clear legal provisions that specifically address the rights of citizens in correctional facilities,” the INEC chairman said.
Prof. Yakubu highlighted the importance of engaging with the National Assembly to ensure legal clarity and support for the initiative.
He mentioned that the commission has held several meetings with the NCoS to develop strategies for accommodating inmates who wish to vote, including ensuring access to facilities and addressing concerns from political parties, as well as clarifying which inmates are affected by the court ruling.
The INEC chairman reiterated the necessity of involving the National Assembly in this matter.
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He assured the NCoS of INEC’s commitment to facilitating voting for inmates in any election, provided it aligns with existing laws.
“The commission is aware of the Federal High Court’s ruling in Benin on December 16, 2014, and the Court of Appeal’s decision in Benin on December 7, 2018, regarding the voting rights of five plaintiffs awaiting trial,” he stated.
“According to the combined provisions of Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966) and Section 25 of the constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the court upheld the voting rights of these plaintiffs who are inmates awaiting trial.
“However, the judges clarified that the right to vote can only be exercised when claimed, as it is a voluntary choice for citizens rather than an obligation imposed by authority.
“You may recall that in light of this situation, the commission has engaged in multiple discussions with the correctional service to facilitate the registration and voting process for inmates who wish to participate in elections.
“We even established a joint technical committee to review all the necessary arrangements.”
