INEC Pushes for Diaspora, Inmate Voting

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has renewed its call for constitutional amendments to allow Nigerians living abroad, inmates, and certain essential workers to vote in future elections.

This was part of a wide-ranging set of electoral reform proposals presented by the commission on Monday in a document titled “Issues and Contentions in the Electoral Legal Framework: An Overview from INEC’s Submission.”

INEC recommended that sections of the 1999 Constitution and the 2022 Electoral Act be amended to enable early, special, Diaspora, and out-of-country voting. The move, according to the commission, is to promote inclusivity and ensure every eligible Nigerian has the opportunity to vote, regardless of location or circumstance.


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“Amend Sections 12 and 45 of the EA 2022 to provide for early/special and related forms of voting,” the commission stated. This would include provisions for Nigerians on essential services, election workers, those in incarceration, and citizens abroad.

INEC also proposed modernising the voter identification process by allowing electronically downloadable voter cards or other approved forms of ID. This would involve a review of Sections 47(1) and 16(1, 2 & 4) of the Electoral Act.

The commission further called for the creation of two new bodies: an Electoral Offences Commission to handle electoral crimes and a Political Party Regulatory Agency to monitor and regulate party activities. This would require significant amendments to Sections 75 through 90, and Sections 144 and 145 of the Electoral Act.

Another key recommendation is granting INEC the power to appoint and discipline Heads of State and FCT offices, enhancing administrative control and improving the conduct of elections nationwide.

INEC stressed that the proposed reforms are based on years of operational experience, feedback from observers, judicial rulings, and stakeholder input. It acknowledged the improvements brought by the 2022 Electoral Act but insisted that further legal and structural changes are necessary for a stronger electoral system.

The reform proposals have already been reviewed by a Joint Technical Committee of the National Assembly and INEC, with legislative action expected soon.

INEC concluded that overhauling the legal framework is crucial not just for addressing current issues, but for securing the long-term credibility, inclusiveness, and effectiveness of Nigeria’s elections.


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