NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PROPOSES VOTING RIGHTS FOR INMATES IN ELECTORAL LAW AMENDMENT

The National Assembly has introduced a proposal to grant inmates the right to vote in Nigeria as part of the ongoing amendment of the Electoral law. Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, provided this hint ahead of the resumption of the National Assembly from the Christmas break.

Bamidele added that the proposed law would mandate the release of funds for general elections at least one year before the election day. He further revealed that the Electoral Bill, 2025 introduces no fewer than twenty defining highlights that would eventually differentiate it from previous electoral regimes.

In his words, “We have started the review of the Electoral Act, 2022 clause by clause to achieve this end. With the Electoral Bill, 2025, we have achieved quite a lot to improve how we manage our elections; enhance the credibility of the process and ensure the political parties are accountable.”

Bamidele noted that under Section 12(1-2), the bill recognises the voting rights of prisoners and the obligations of the Independent National Electoral Commission to register all eligible inmates in all correctional facilities nationwide.