INEC Seeks Legal Framework to Allow Prisoners Vote in Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to collaborate with the National Assembly to establish clear legal provisions enabling inmates to participate in elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this during a meeting with the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

He emphasized the need for legislative clarity, citing Section 12(1)(e) of the Electoral Act 2022, which limits voter registration to citizens not under any legal voting restriction.

Yakubu referenced past court rulings—including a 2014 Federal High Court judgment and a 2018 Court of Appeal decision—that affirmed the voting rights of awaiting-trial inmates. However, he noted that implementation requires addressing operational challenges such as voter registration access, polling unit creation, and voter education within correctional facilities.

The INEC boss also highlighted concerns raised by stakeholders, including media coverage, observer access, and whether political parties would be permitted to campaign in prisons.

A joint technical committee with the NCoS has already been set up to explore these issues.

Nwakuche revealed that over 81,000 inmates are currently in custody nationwide, with more than 66% awaiting trial. He stressed that inmates remain citizens entitled to voting rights and called for collaboration to overcome logistical hurdles.

Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani, a former prisoner and rights activist, supported the move, estimating it could add about 100,000 votes. He acknowledged the influence of prison hierarchies in voting patterns but praised the reform as a progressive step toward inclusivity.

INEC reaffirmed its commitment to working with stakeholders to ensure inmates’ voting rights are upheld in future elections.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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