INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS AND RIGHT TO POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The increasing incidence of internal displacement in Nigeria owing to ethnic conflicts, boundary disputes, naturaland manmade disasters, armed banditry, insurgency as well as other security challenges make the considerationof the plight of internal displaced persons (IDPs) in terms of their human rights a germane concern. Until veryrecently, an often relegated right in relation to IDPs is their right to political participation. Ordinarily, IDPs areentitled to the same rights as other citizens of Nigeria, however due to circumstances of displacement, IDPs areplaced in a disadvantaged position and are unable to fully enjoy this right. Electoral outcome may be titled in oneway or the other by the participation or non-participation of IDPs in elections owing to their increasing numbersand geographical spread. Similarly, the impact on electoral quality in terms of fairness and inclusiveness cannotbe ignored. Accordingly, this paper employing the doctrinal research methodology examines the legal regime forthe protection of the right of political participation of internal displaced persons from the international, regionaland national dimensions with a view to ascertaining the extent of protection and realization. It was found that theaspect of the right to vote is the most pronounced aspect of the right of participation in Nigeria; IDPS are limitedfrom fully exercising this right despite Section 26(1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) which stipulates thatIndependent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should as far as possible ensure that IDPs are notdisenfranchised due to logistic and security challenges, lack of adequate technology to enhance theirparticipation, inadequate voter and civic education among others. Recommendations towards legal reform,embracing adequate technology in collation and transmission of results, adequate engagement of IDPS inelectoral processes as well as addressing the underlying issues that cause internal displacement were advanced.