Former National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Peter Ameh, has strongly opposed proposals to allow prison inmates to vote in Nigerian elections, describing it as a potential avenue for electoral fraud.
Speaking on a weekend program, Ameh argued that Nigeria’s correctional facilities lack the transparency needed to prevent manipulation by prison authorities and politicians.
Ameh emphasised that Nigeria should prioritise diaspora voting before considering inmate participation, noting that Nigerians abroad remain actively engaged in national affairs and contribute significantly to the economy through remittances. He stressed that electoral reforms should focus on more pressing issues, including strengthening the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and ensuring credible elections.
The former IPAC leader called for comprehensive electoral reforms, including the unbundling of INEC to reduce executive influence, conducting all elections in a single day to minimise costs, and legally mandating electronic transmission of results. “Allowing inmates to vote under current conditions would give undue advantage to state authorities who control prisons,” he warned.
Ameh also criticised the appointment process of INEC officials, stating that allowing a sitting president to appoint electoral commissioners compromises the commission’s neutrality. He proposed that INEC leadership appointments should undergo thorough scrutiny by the National Assembly to enhance public trust.
Additionally, he advocated for legally requiring INEC to transmit election results electronically through the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal to improve transparency.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Electoral Reform Coalition (NERCO) has launched a nationwide campaign to push for sweeping electoral reforms, engaging lawmakers and civil society groups to promote accountability and close loopholes in the electoral system. Ameh’s remarks highlight growing concerns over Nigeria’s electoral integrity and the need for systemic changes before expanding voter eligibility.
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cc: The Guardian Ng
