The Independent National Electoral Commission has signaled its readiness to allow eligible Nigerians to vote in the 2027 general elections without the use of Permanent Voter Cards provided that the current electoral laws are amended to support such a move.
According to The PUNCH, INEC’s Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, made this known in an interview on Wednesday.
He clarified that while the commission supports the idea of expanding access to voting through technology, the existing legal framework must be revised to accommodate any shift from the PVC-only system.
“Our position alone is not enough. What the law currently states is also important,” Oyekanmi said. “While the commission is open to the suggestions from stakeholders advocating for alternatives to PVCs, any changes must be backed by legislative action.”
The proposal builds on comments made by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in December 2024 during a consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja.
He emphasized the growing influence of technology, especially the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), in modernizing Nigeria’s elections.
According to Prof. Yakubu, voters in future elections might be accredited using digital slips either issued by INEC or downloaded from its official website.
“PVCs will remain valid for those who already have them. However, going forward, computer-generated slips can serve the same purpose for voter accreditation,” he stated.
He noted that such a system would reduce costs, ease logistics, and help tackle the issue of PVC buying and voter suppression.
“The shift will help eliminate problems related to PVC collection and reduce the misuse of voter cards, including their purchase to disenfranchise voters,” Yakubu explained.
Despite the commission’s enthusiasm, Oyekanmi reiterated that legal endorsement is crucial before implementing any change. “The commission is prepared, but the National Assembly must amend the Electoral Act to make this a reality,” he added.
INEC’s proposal, if enacted, could reshape how elections are conducted in Nigeria, making the process more inclusive and efficient.
