Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of Nigeria’s Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), on Tuesday, explained why Nigerians in the diaspora cannot vote in the upcoming February 2023 elections.Responding to a question about diaspora voting at a speaking appearance at Chatham House, London, United Kingdom, he said although the electoral body subscribes to it, the Nigerian law makes it impossible for such category of citizens to vote in the nation’s elections.
PREMIUM TIMES had earlier published Mr Yakubu’s full speech which he delivered during his session at the Chatham House.
“The position of law remains; unless you are resident in Nigeria, you cannot register and you cannot vote,” he said.However, “I am absolutely convinced that it is only a matter of time when this will be achieved,” Mr Yakubu added.
He narrated that the commission maintains an open-door policy and has collaborated with different diaspora groups to the point when the proposition for diaspora voting was sent to the National Assembly for deliberation where it was defeated.
The issue of diaspora voting has been an ongoing conversation and was among the issues thrown up for deliberation at the constitution review hearings last year.
In March 2022, the National Assembly struck out the proposal for diaspora voting even when INEC said it was ready.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) in September of the same year said it would continue to canvas it.
Diaspora voting allows non-resident Nigerians to vote and choose who leads the West African country.
Credit: premiumtimesng.com
