Jubilation as INEC Makes Fresh Vow on Correctional Centres

INEC has announced plans to work with the Nigeria Correctional Service to ensure that voting rights are restored to inmates. The Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, confirmed this after a visit from the Comptroller General of NCoS.

Yakubu emphasized that the right to vote is a human right that should not be taken away, even in correctional facilities. The announcement comes ahead of elections scheduled for August 16, where vacant positions in national and state houses will be filled in 12 states.

These elections will include senatorial districts, federal constituencies, and state house assembly seats. The move to allow inmates to participate in elections has been met with some criticism, with protesters accusing INEC of undermining democracy.

The elections are crucial to filling positions left vacant by elected officials who have passed away or moved on to other roles.