The Independent National Electoral Commission has suggested changes to how voters are accredited for elections, proposing alternatives to the Permanent Voter Cards as the sole means of identification.
This proposal is part of the Commission’s plan to improve Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said the reforms are based on lessons from the 2023 general elections and subsequent off-cycle polls.
“The Commission believes that with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, the use of PVCs as the sole means of identification for voter accreditation on Election Day should be reviewed,” Yakubu said.
He explained that voters who already have PVCs can continue using them, but alternatives like computer-generated slips, either issued by INEC or downloaded from its website, could suffice in the future.
“This will not only save costs, but it will also eliminate the issues around the collection of PVCs and the diabolical practice of buying up the cards from voters to disenfranchise them,” Yakubu added.
The INEC chairman also announced plans to present legislative proposals to the National Assembly to modernize election management and address challenges faced in past elections.
“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 recommendations arising from our review,” he said.
Yakubu highlighted 142 recommendations from internal and external reviews, covering voter education, election technology, security, logistics, and the electoral legal framework.
