In a significant move aimed at expanding democratic participation, Nigeria’s National Assembly has proposed amendments to the electoral law that would grant voting rights to inmates in correctional facilities across the country. The initiative, part of a broader overhaul of the Electoral Act 2022, seeks to address long standing ambiguities in the law and align with court rulings affirming prisoners’ rights to participate in elections.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele announced the proposal on Monday, just ahead of the National Assembly’s resumption from the yuletide break. Speaking in a statement, Bamidele emphasized that the Electoral Bill 2025 includes no fewer than 20 key reforms designed to enhance election management, boost credibility, and ensure greater accountability from political parties. “These changes are in response to the yearnings of Nigerians for the security of their votes,” Bamidele said, highlighting the need for timely funding and inclusive voter registration.

At the heart of the proposal is an amendment to Section 12(1-2) of the Electoral Act, which would explicitly recognize the voting rights of prisoners. Under the new provisions, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would be mandated to register eligible inmates in all correctional facilities nationwide, allowing them to cast ballots during elections. This move comes amid growing advocacy for inmate enfranchisement, particularly for those awaiting trial, who make up a significant portion of Nigeria’s prison population.
The push for prisoner voting rights is not new. In August 2025, INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu publicly backed the idea, citing a series of court judgments that have affirmed inmates’ constitutional rights to vote. During a courtesy visit by the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Yakubu stressed the need for legal clarity to resolve ambiguities in the current law. He specifically pointed to Section 12(1)(e) of the Electoral Act 2022, which restricts voter registration to citizens “not subject to any legal incapacity to vote under any law, rule or regulations in force in Nigeria.” Yakubu argued that without explicit provisions, implementing inmate voting would be challenging, and called for collaboration with the National Assembly to amend the law ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC’s stance was echoed in multiple statements, with the commission committing to work with NCoS, civil society groups, and other stakeholders to push for the reforms. “Our immediate task is to engage with the National Assembly for a clear legal provision on inmate voting,” Yakubu stated, noting that elections must be governed strictly by law to avoid disputes. 9 This advocacy gained traction following reports that Nigeria’s correctional facilities house over 80,000 inmates, many of whom are pretrial detainees eligible to vote under the constitution but barred in practice due to logistical and legal hurdles.
However, the path to reform has not been smooth. In November 2025, during a joint retreat by the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters, lawmakers expressed reservations about including prisoner voting in the bill. The retreat, held in partnership with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, saw participants deem the proposal “problematic” and likely to complicate election processes rather than resolve issues. Former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator Seriake Dickson, who chaired a related meeting in Lagos, reported that the idea was not accepted, despite acknowledging its “laudable” intent and a subsisting court judgment supporting inmates’ rights.
Dickson noted that the Lagos meeting, attended by nearly 50 National Assembly members, focused on reviewing the Electoral Act clause by clause. While consensus was reached on other reforms like mandating electronic transmission of results via the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) and clarifying rules for party primaries the prisoner voting proposal faced pushback. “Members were not convinced,” Dickson said, suggesting it could be revisited if compelling arguments were presented. The retreat also considered dropping a related proposal for early voting for security personnel, INEC officials, and journalists, which was similarly viewed as unfeasible.
Despite these earlier doubts, the latest announcement from Bamidele indicates a potential revival or shift in priorities. The Electoral Bill 2025 also includes provisions under Section 3(3) to ensure that funds for general elections are released to INEC at least one year in advance, aiming to reduce financial uncertainties and bolster the commission’s independence. 15 Additionally, the bill proposes tougher penalties for electoral offenses like vote-buying, as highlighted in separate statements from the Senate.
Stakeholders have mixed reactions to the prisoner voting proposal. Civil society organizations, including PLAC, have long advocated for inclusive reforms, arguing that disenfranchising inmates many of whom are not convicted undermines democratic principles. PLAC Executive Director Clement Nwankwo, during the November retreat, outlined key issues in the bill, including updates to voter accreditation technology and penalties for offenses like buying voters’ cards. 16 On the other hand, critics worry about logistical challenges, such as setting up polling units in prisons and ensuring security during voting.
As the National Assembly resumes plenary sessions, the Electoral Bill 2025 is expected to undergo further debates and public hearings. If passed, the amendments could mark a milestone in Nigeria’s electoral history, potentially allowing thousands of inmates to participate in the 2027 polls. INEC has reiterated its readiness to implement the changes, provided the legal framework is solidified. The bill’s progress will be closely watched, especially as it addresses broader demands for transparent and inclusive elections in Africa’s most populous nation.