The Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to begin examining the legal and technical frameworks necessary to enable inmates’ participation in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, at the Commission’s headquarters today in Abuja, Nwakuche said that while the process may not be immediate, it was crucial to start laying the groundwork for inmate voting, adding that inmates, especially those awaiting trial, remain citizens with constitutional rights, including the right to vote.

He noted that over 81,000 individuals are currently in custody across correctional facilities in Nigeria, with more than 66 percent of them still awaiting trial.

Responding, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, commended the initiative and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to inclusivity in the electoral system, adding that the Commission would engage with the National Assembly to push for legal provisions that clearly define inmates’ voting rights.

Yakubu, who pointed to previous court judgments in Benin affirming the voting rights of inmates awaiting trial, recalled efforts by INEC and the Correctional Service to jointly assess the feasibility of inmate voting. He stated that while logistical and legal challenges exist, progress can be made through continued collaboration.

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