By Abigail Philip David
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed a review of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as the sole means of voter accreditation ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. The proposal, aimed at modernizing the electoral process, comes alongside broader reforms designed to address challenges observed during the 2023 general elections and subsequent off-cycle polls.
During a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, suggested alternatives to the PVC, including computer-generated slips issued to voters or downloadable credentials from the commission’s website.
“The Commission believes that with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the use of PVCs as the sole means of identification for voter accreditation on Election Day should be reviewed,” Yakubu said. “Voters who already have PVCs can still use them, but going forward, computer-generated slips will suffice. This will save costs and address issues like PVC collection challenges and the practice of buying voter cards to disenfranchise citizens.”
The INEC chairman also revealed plans to present legislative proposals to the Senate and House of Representatives to support these reforms.
Yakubu outlined the commission’s vision to enhance electoral management by addressing longstanding challenges. He noted that INEC has identified 142 recommendations from its review of the 2023 elections, covering areas such as voter education, election logistics, political party management, technology use, and the electoral legal framework.
“With the conclusion of five major off-cycle governorship elections and nine bye-elections since 2023, this is an opportune time to implement these recommendations,” he said.
The proposed changes aim to modernize Nigeria’s electoral system, enhance efficiency, and reduce voter disenfranchisement in future elections.
