The National Assembly has introduced a proposal in the ongoing amendment of the Electoral law that would give inmates the right to vote in Nigeria. Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, revealed this ahead of the National Assembly’s resumption from Christmas break.
The proposed law would also mandate the release of funds for general elections at least one year before the day of the elections. According to Bamidele, the Electoral Bill, 2025, introduces no fewer than 20 defining highlights that would differentiate it from previous electoral regimes.
“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 said.
The bill recognizes the voting rights of prisoners and the obligations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register all eligible inmates in correctional facilities nationwide, as stated in Section 12(1-2).
