The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed reviewing the use of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as the sole means of accrediting eligible voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC is also advocating for reforms aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s electoral system, drawing from experiences gained during the 2023 general elections and subsequent off-cycle polls.
Speaking at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, suggested that computer-generated slips issued to voters or downloaded from the Commission’s website could serve as valid means of accreditation.
“The Commission also believes that with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the use of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) as the sole means of identification for voter accreditation on Election Day should be reviewed,” Yakubu said.
“Those who already have the PVCs can still use them to vote, but going forward, computer-generated slips issued to the voter or even downloaded from the Commission’s website will suffice for voter accreditation.
“This will not only save cost, it will also eliminate the issues around the collection of PVCs and the diabolical practice of buying up the cards from voters in order to disenfranchise them.”
The INEC boss also said the electoral body would soon present its legislative proposals to the relevant committees in the Senate and House of Representatives.
REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN, INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC), PROF. MAHMOOD YAKUBU, AT A MEETING WITH THE RESIDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSIONERS (RECs) HELD AT THE INEC CONFERENCE ROOM, ABUJA, ON THURSDAY 12TH DECEMBER 2024
National Commissioners
The Resident Electoral… pic.twitter.com/CwmJ6X87qj— INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) December 12, 2024
He highlighted the commission’s vision to address long-standing challenges and modernise election management.
“With the conclusion of five major off-cycle Governorship elections and nine out of 21 bye-elections since the 2023 General Election, this is the most appropriate time for us to commence the implementation of the recommendations arising from our review of the General Election.
“From the internal and external engagements, the Commission has identified 142 recommendations dealing with the general state of preparedness, voter management, voter education and public communication, political parties and candidate management, electoral operations and logistics management, election officials and personnel, partnership and collaboration, monitoring and supervision, election technology, voting and result management, election security, electoral offences and the electoral legal framework,” the chairman said.