Security Agents, Journalists, Others Should Be Able To Vote During Election – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will approach the National Assembly to amend the 2022 Electoral Act to allow its officials on duty and others who work on election days to be able to vote.

The INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu disclosed this on Wednesday during a post-election review meeting with media stakeholders in Lagos.

He said journalists and security agents, such as policemen, soldiers and others should be able to cast their ballots during elections, despite being on official duty.

He said, “For instance, there are many Nigerians that did not have the opportunity to vote on election day simply because our laws say that you can only vote where you are registered.

“So, most of the journalists on election day worked in places other than where they are registered, so they don’t have the opportunity to vote.

“This doesn’t apply only to journalists, it also applies to officials of INEC itself; the regular and ad hoc officials, including the security agencies.

“So through this kind of interaction, we get recommendations coming from stakeholders and will see in what area we are going to approach the National Assembly to amend the laws.”