Reactions have continued to trail the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) plan to enable inmates to vote in the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced the proposal last week during a meeting with the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Yakubu said the move followed an Appeal Court judgment granting inmates the right to register and vote. He added that discussions were ongoing with the NCoS to determine modalities, including access to voting facilities, political parties’ concerns, and the category of inmates eligible under the ruling.
Legal experts have welcomed the development, describing it as a constitutional step forward. Barrister Zurkallaini Sani Tsanyawa told Daily Post that the initiative aligns with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Court of Appeal’s decision.
“All Nigerian citizens have the right to vote, including detainees in correctional facilities,” Tsanyawa said. He, however, warned that safeguards must be in place to prevent political manipulation.
“Security agencies and INEC must guard against corrupt politicians exploiting this opportunity to rig elections,” he added.
Political scientists have also voiced mixed reactions. Professor Kamilu Sani Fagge of Bayero University, Kano, praised the idea as “long overdue,” but cautioned that the process must be transparent to avoid abuse.
Fagge recommended a public register of eligible inmate voters and a mock election to identify potential loopholes before nationwide implementation. “We must test the system before adopting it in a general election,” he said.
The proposal, if implemented, would mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s electoral process. However, concerns over manipulation and logistical challenges mean its success will depend on strict adherence to electoral safeguards.
It remains uncertain whether inmate voting in 2027 will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy or trigger fresh political controversy.
