The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is considering a groundbreaking step: allowing inmates to vote in the 2027 general elections.

The announcement came from INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu during a meeting with the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja. Yakubu confirmed that the move aligns with a Court of Appeal judgment granting inmates the right to register and vote, and discussions are ongoing to work out the details.

These details will cover voting facilities in correctional centers, how political parties can campaign, and which categories of inmates will be eligible.

Mixed Reactions

The plan has sparked a wave of reactions.

Legal expert Barrister Zurkallaini Sani Tsanyawa praised the decision, noting that it’s consistent with the Nigerian Constitution and court rulings. He, however, warned that strong safeguards must be put in place to prevent politicians from exploiting the system to rig elections.

Similarly, Professor Kamilu Sani Fagge of Bayero University, Kano, called the initiative long overdue, saying prisoners deserve to exercise their democratic rights. But he also raised red flags about possible vote manipulation if the process isn’t tightly controlled.

Fagge recommended:

Conducting a mock election before the real one to test the system

Publishing the list of eligible inmate voters to prevent inflated numbers

Ensuring strict monitoring to guarantee transparency