From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Controller General, Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), formerly known as Prison Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, has advocated for the voting rights of inmates in the Country.
He made the appeal recently during his visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in Maitam, Abuja.
NCoS boss said, out of about eight thousands inmates, 60% of them are awaiting trials and maybe denied their right to vote in Nigeria elections, violating the Court judgment on that.
Nwakuche appealed to INEC, to always remember the inmates at the Correctional Service across Nigeria saying, he represented them and was in INEC to advocate for their rights as they cannot come in person(s).
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Responding, INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, reiterated his commitment to ensure every Nigerian is given equal right to vote and be voted for.
He said, the Commission appreciated the long-standing partnership with NCoS in election management in Nigeria. Adding that, the Commission is aware that the right to vote is a human right which cannot be taken away from a citizen on account of time being served in a correctional facility.
“In many parts of the world, including some African countries such as Ghana, Kenya and South Africa, where our officials observed elections, inmates exercised the right to vote.
“The Commission is aware of the judgements of the Federal High Court in Benin delivered on 16th December 2014 and the Court of Appeal, also in Benin, delivered on 7th December 2018, pertaining to the right to vote by five plaintiffs awaiting trial.
“Based on the combined provisions of Article 25 of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (1966) and Section 25 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) on citizenship, the court affirmed the rights of plaintiffs who were inmates awaiting trial to vote in elections. However, the judges ruled that the right to vote is only excisable when asserted as it is a choice to be exercised voluntarily by a citizen and not a duty to be imposed by force of authority.
“It may be recall that in recognition of this situation, the Commission had several discussions with the correctional service on how inmates who wish to register and vote in elections can do so. We even set up a joint technical committee to review all the issues involved and advise on the way forward.
“For our part, we raised the issue of access to the correctional facilities for voter registration, creation of polling units and voter education. On behalf of stakeholders and for transparency, we also brought to your attention concerns about access to your facilities for observers and the media.
“Political parties also want to know if they will be allowed to campaign in the correctional facilities and appoint polling agents on election day. We believe that working together with you and the stakeholders, we can address these concerns”, he said.
