2027: Inmates voting cause controversy and fears among experts, stakeholders

Keep up with the latest news and be part of our weekly giveaways and airtime sharing; follow our WhatsApp channel for more updates. Click to Follow us

Following the recent revelation by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, that prisoners might be permitted to cast ballots in the 2027 general elections, reactions have been ongoing.

Political analysts have voiced concerns about possible ballot manipulation by inmates, while legal experts have applauded the action as a step towards preserving constitutional provisions guaranteeing the rights of all people, including those in imprisonment.

When Prof. Yakubu hosted Sylvester Nwakuche, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), at INEC’s Abuja headquarters last week, he revealed the idea. He affirmed the Appeal Court verdict allowing inmates the ability to register and vote in elections and observed that discussions between INEC and the NCoS were ongoing to determine mechanisms for implementation.

“These include access to voting facilities, addressing political parties’ concerns, and determining the category of inmates covered by the court ruling,” he said.

However, Barrister Zurkallaini Sani Tsanyawa reiterated the election commission’s stance in an interview with ZINGTIE, saying, “All Nigerian citizens have the right to vote including detainees in Nigeria correctional services, as such the chairman of INEC’s statement on the right of prisoners to vote during any election in Nigeria is in conformity with constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and the ruling of the Court Appeal.”

However, he demanded that stringent safeguards be implemented to prevent the political elite from exploiting the recent advancement.

“Both security agencies and INEC must put measures against corrupt politicians who may use this opportunity to rig any election,” he said.

The same opinion was also expressed by Professor Kamilu Sani Fagge of Bayero University’s Kano political science department.

“I applaud what INEC is trying to achieve. I actually think it’s long overdue as prisoners deserve to exercise their rights duringelections. However, there is still a serious concern regarding the possibility of manipulation and rigging. For this exercise to yield positive results, the commission has to put the correct protocols in place to ensure a free and fair election. All inmates eligible to vote should be registered and a list should be made public to ensure proper monitoring. This way, the numbers cannot be inflated to favor any candidate or party.

“If this inmates voting is a thing we want to adopt, we must first of all start with a mock election. To measure the accuracy of the process as well as sight issues within the process that may arise and find solutions to it before a proper general election is held not for it to be implemented without first being tested and tried,” he argued.

An important turning point in Nigeria’s political history may be reached if prisoners are allowed to vote. It is yet unknown, though, if the result will be positive or cause controversy.

Please don’t forget to “Allow the notification” so you will be the first to get our gist when we publish it. 
Drop your comment in the section below, and don’t forget to share the post.