NAN-H-15
Prisoners
By Lydia Ngwakwe
Lagos, Nov. 2, 2017 (NAN) Some rights activists and politicians have expressed support for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC’s) plan to allow prisoners to vote in the 2019 general elections.
The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed the plan in Abuja on Oct. 24 at a dialogue with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room – a coalition of more than 60 civil society organisations.
The INEC boss said that the commission was looking at the possibility of creating polling units in Nigerian prisons to allow some categories of inmates to vote.
The rights activists told NAN in interviews in Lagos that the decision showed growth of Nigeria’s democracy.
The Lagos State Chairman of People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), Dr Akin Badmus, said that prisoners had the right to vote.
“Prisoners are citizens and their crimes do not take away that citizenship from them; it is a violation of their rights in the first place to prevent prisoners from voting.
“It is appropriate that this right is restored,’’ Badmus said.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Kano State, Alhaji Musa Umar, told NAN: “Prisoners should not be denied the right to vote.
“As long as they meet the conditions for voting, they should vote for candidates of their choices,’’ Umar said.
Mr Dennis Aghanya, the Executive Secretary of Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data (ARDI), urged INEC to also plan for Nigerians in the Diaspora to vote.
“I am happy that our democracy is growing; I am expecting that, in due course, INEC will improve to accommodate Nigerians in the Diaspora in the voting process.
“I am convinced that the current INEC chairman is as focused as his predecessor.
“I pray for wisdom in the conduct of INEC’s affairs,’’ Aghanya said.
He called on politicians to cooperate with INEC and ensure success of the 2019 general elections.
The Lagos State Chairman of Civil Liberty Organisation (CLO), Mr Ehi Omokhuale, appealed to INEC to ensure that desperate politicians would not introduce ghost prisoners into the electoral process.
“Allowing prisoners to vote is a welcome development. It happens in many civilised climes.
“We in the Lagos CLO, want the condition of our prisons and prisoners improved first,’’ Omokhuale said.
However, Mr Shola Omolola, the Lagos State Chairman of Action Alliance, had a different view.
“What manner of prisoners will be allowed to vote?
“Are our prisoners open to hearing campaigns from contestants or read posters or flyers?
“I am not in support of it because I believe that desperate politicians can manipulate the situation,’’ Omolola said. (NAN)
LED/KOO/IGO
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(Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Ijeoma Popoola)