Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stated on Friday that the Commission is trying to make sure that prison inmates can cast ballots in elections.
The proposal was reportedly on the agenda in discussions between INEC and officials of the Nigeria Correctional Service at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
According to Yakubu, steps have begun to address prisoners’ right to vote.
The action would allow thousands of prison inmates nationwide to vote.
Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche Ofori, the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, visited INEC headquarters on Friday to promote prisoners’ right to vote.
Yakubu expressed appreciation for the proposal, pointing out that several African nations including Ghana, Kenya and South Africa have already effected this policy, allow inmates to vote.
He said, “Working together, we can seize the opportunity of ongoing electoral reform for a clear legal provision that will specifically cover citizens serving time in our correctional facilities.
“Our immediate task is to engage with the National Assembly for clarity and legal backing.”
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