Jubilation as INEC Makes Fresh Vow on Correctional Centres

• INEC has promised to ensure that Nigerians in the correctional centres across the country have the right to vote in the general elections
• Mahmood Yakunu, INEC chairman, pledged while hosting Comptroller General of the NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, at the commission's headquarters in Abuja
• The INEC chairman explained that the ongoing electoral review is an opportunity for the country to allow the people in the correctional centres to vote in the next 2027 elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed a plan to work with the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) so that the voting rights of the inmates can be restored.

Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the electoral body, made this known when he received the Comptroller General of the NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, at the INEC headquarters on Friday, August 8.

During the visit, Yakubu affirmed the ruling of the Court of Appeal, which granted rights to the inmates to register and vote in any election. He explained that the commission was aware that the right to vote is a human right and cannot be taken away from those in the correctional facility.

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The INEC chairman explained that in several countries where the commission's officials have observed elections, including South Africa, Ghana and Kenya, inmates are allowed to participate in an election.

Yakubu's comment reads in part:

“As you are aware, an election is a process governed by law. Working together, we can seize the opportunity of the ongoing electoral reform for a clear legal provision that will specifically cover citizens serving time in our correctional facilities.”

See the full statement of the INEC chairman here:

INEC to conduct by-election on Saturday

This came ahead of August 16, which INEC had set aside to conduct elections into vacant positions in the national and state houses of assembly in 12 states of the country. The election, according to INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, included two senatorial districts, five federal constituencies and nine state house of assembly seats.

The states where the bye-elections would be held included Edo and Anambra for the senatorial district poll. Also, federal constituency elections would be held in Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun, and Oyo. In Adamawa, Anambra, Kogi, Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Taraba and Zamfara states, state house of assembly elections are held on the same day.

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The by-elections are conducted to fill the positions left behind by elected officials who died after being elected or took up other positions, such as Governor Monday Okpebholo and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, who were members of the Senate and the House of Representatives before their election in Edo state.

Protesters storm INEC office

Legit.ng earlier reported that INEC national headquarters was besieged by some groups of protesters seeking the inclusion of Labour Party candidates in the forthcoming bye-election.

With banners and placards of different inscriptions, the protesters accused the electoral body of undermining democracy in the country.

Recall that INEC scheduled the bye-election for Saturday, August 16, and it will be held in 12 states of the federation.

Source: Legit.ng