INEC and Nigerian Correctional Service Collaborate to Facilitate Voting Rights for Inmates

Abuja, Nigeria— The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a strategic partnership with the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) to enable eligible inmates, particularly those awaiting trial, to exercise their voting rights in forthcoming elections.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this development during a courtesy visit by NCS Comptroller General, Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche, emphasizing that disenfranchisement of unconvicted inmates constitutes a significant democratic gap in Nigeria.

Highlighting legal precedent, Professor Yakubu referenced Federal High Court and Court of Appeal rulings affirming inmates awaiting trial possess constitutional voting rights, provided participation remains voluntary. He explained that a joint technical committee between INEC and NCS has been established to address operational logistics such as voter registration within correctional centers, establishing polling units on-site, voter education, and ensuring involvement of political parties, observers, and media to uphold transparency.

Professor Yakubu also noted ambiguities in Section 12(1)(e) of the Electoral Act 2022 concerning inmate voting eligibility, which may require judicial interpretation or legislative amendment to fully realize these rights.

He commended civil society organizations for their advocacy efforts and expressed confidence in increasing National Assembly support to advance electoral inclusiveness for inmates.

Comptroller General Nwakuche lamented the current exclusion of inmates from Nigeria’s electoral process, underscoring that over 66 percent of approximately 81,000 inmates are awaiting trial and legally presumed innocent. He affirmed that even convicted inmates retain fundamental rights, including voting.

Nwakuche pledged full cooperation of the Nigerian Correctional Service to resolve operational and legal challenges and called for active engagement of lawmakers, political parties, civil society, and the media to actualize the voting rights of inmates.

By Taiwo Olatinwo | August 8, 2025