The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that it is considering granting inmates the right to vote in the 2027 general elections — a move that has generated both praise and concern among stakeholders.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed that the commission is in talks with the Nigeria Correctional Service to work out the legal, logistical, and security frameworks for the exercise. The proposed guidelines will address critical issues such as inmate eligibility, voting access within correctional facilities, and the management of political party concerns.
While legal experts have welcomed the plan as a step toward upholding constitutional rights, political analysts warn that the initiative could be exploited for electoral manipulation if not carefully managed.
Prominent Kano-based lawyer, Barrister Zurkallaini Tsanyawa, described the decision as “a progressive and rights-based reform,” but stressed the need for watertight security arrangements, public display of eligible inmate voter lists, and the conduct of mock elections to ensure transparency and build public trust.
Similarly, political scientist Prof. Kamilu Fagge expressed support for the plan, noting that it aligns with democratic values. However, he cautioned that without adequate safeguards, the exercise could be vulnerable to political interference.
The debate underscores the delicate balance between protecting voting rights and preventing electoral fraud, as Nigeria moves toward a historic and potentially contentious 2027 general election.
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