NPS To Ensure Prisons Inmates Right To Vote In 2019

Eniola Olayemi

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that Nigerian prisoners will not vote in the 2019 elections due to some challenges encountered by the commission.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said prisoners won’t vote in 2019 but mechanisms are being perfected to ensure that every class of Nigerians, prisoners inclusive, vote in the 2023 elections.

While talking on Human Rights Radio (101.1 FM), Abuja’s Brekete Show, Yakubu said when quizzed on the possibility of prisoners voting.

”Actually, we don’t need any legal amendments to allow prison inmates to vote in Nigeria. There was a recent judgment by the Court of Appeal, Benin Division which has now ordered the commission to ensure that prisoners vote. Only yesterday, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Prisons Service worked the details with us on how these things can be arranged. We have over 100 prisons and correctional facilities in Nigeria. He has given us the inmates. Majority of them are awaiting trials whiles some of them are convicts. How then do we work out the details in such a way that parties can be allowed to campaign in prisons, will that be allowed? And then media and civil societies will be allowed to go inside the prison to ensure that only genuine people vote.

We have to register and create a polling unit. These are details that will not happen unfortunately for the 2019 General Elections. But we are looking forward to the 2023 General elections. We are committed to prisoners voting and are committed to see every Nigerian having the opportunity to exercise his or her franchise,” he said.