The Senate has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to consider allowing registered and eligible prison inmates to vote during all general elections in the country.
The Red Chamber of the Nigerian national assembly raised this point during plenary on yesterday when it considered a motion on The prerogative of Prison Inmates to vote in general elections in Nigeria sponsored by Senator Abba Moro.
They called on INEC to determine the status of the inmates that are constitutionally and legally qualified to be registered as eligible voters and should vote at elections.
They urged INEC and all relevant agencies to carry out a voracious voter’s enlightenment in prisons in Nigeria, to educate the inmates of their rights and necessity to exercise their franchise in general elections.
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Also, according to the lawmakers, INEC register update its register of voters to take into account the prison population for the purpose of elections. INEC in collaboration with the Nigeria Correctional Service should also locate voting centres at custodial centres across the country to be used for voting.
The Senate further urged the INEC to allow duly registered and eligible prison-electorates to exercise their franchise during all general elections in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the electoral umpire has disclosed that it will do its best to improve the functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the forthcoming by-elections and off-season governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states to esnure that the 2023 general elections suffers no hitches or issues.
INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu made this known while speaking recently at the first meeting of the year with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).
He pointed out that the commission would ensure some of the challenges are tackled ahead of future elections, including the review election day administration.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK