Why Nigeria Must Uphold Prison Inmates’ Right to Vote: A Test of True Democracy

By Deji Adeyanju Esq.

Democracy is only as strong as its inclusivity. In Nigeria, thousands of prison inmates many of whom are awaiting trial or appealing their convictions remain shut out of the electoral process. Yet, the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which Nigeria has ratified, guarantee the right to vote as a fundamental entitlement of citizenship.

When inmates are denied this right, it is not just their voices that are silenced it is an additional punishment that undermines the very principle that sovereignty belongs to all the people, not just those outside prison walls.

For a young democracy like Nigeria, extending voting rights to inmates would be a bold step toward fairness, rehabilitation, and true representation. Other nations have already shown that imprisonment does not erase citizenship. In South Africa, Canada, and several European countries, inmates cast their ballots, reaffirming that democracy thrives when no voice is excluded.

Beyond the legal arguments lies a human reality. Many inmates are fathers, mothers, breadwinners, and young people whose lives are on pause, not erased. To tell them that their vote does not count is to say their humanity no longer matters. That message runs contrary to the ideals of justice and democracy Nigeria claims to uphold.

For inmate voting to work credibly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must:

• Establish a verified prison voters’ register that excludes only those legally disqualified, such as individuals on death row.
• Provide civic education in correctional facilities, assuring inmates of secrecy and fairness in the voting process.
• Set up secure prison polling stations managed directly by INEC, not prison staff, to avoid coercion.
• Allow independent observers, including civil society groups and accredited journalists, to monitor the exercise.
• Ensure ballot security with transparent chain-of-custody protocols.

The fear that granting inmates the right to vote “rewards criminals” is short-sighted. In truth, it is an investment in rehabilitation, civic responsibility, and the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy. By allowing inmates to exercise this right, Nigeria would not only reduce political disenfranchisement but also nurture a sense of belonging that could help reduce recidivism.

A democracy that silences some of its citizens weakens itself. A democracy that listens to all even those behind bars shows maturity, fairness, and faith in justice. It is time for Nigeria to choose the latter.

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