A human rights advocacy group, the Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI), has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take urgent steps to end electoral exclusion in Nigeria. The group is demanding that all eligible citizens—including military personnel, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, and prison inmates—be allowed to exercise their voting rights.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, EUYI Convener Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince and Co-Convener Comrade Igwe Ude-Umanta decried the systemic disenfranchisement of certain groups, stressing that true democracy can only thrive when every eligible citizen is included in the electoral process.
“Despite their significant roles in safeguarding democracy, military personnel, NYSC members, and INEC staff on election duty are often denied the right to vote due to their deployment,” the group stated.
EUYI also expressed concern over the continued exclusion of prison inmates from voting, despite a 2014 court ruling affirming their right to participate in elections.
To address these issues, the group urged INEC to collaborate with civil society organizations to implement special voter registration exercises for these marginalized groups.
“We believe full electoral participation will strengthen democracy, improve governance, and promote fairness and justice. If implemented, these reforms could make the 2027 elections the most inclusive in Nigeria’s history,” EUYI concluded.
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