INEC Takes Steps To Legalize Voting Without PVC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed openness to allowing Nigerians without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to vote in the 2027 general elections, but stressed that such a change would require legislative amendments. INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, explained that while the commission supports expanding voter access through technology, legal updates are necessary to move beyond the current PVC-only system.

This follows comments by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who highlighted the role of technology like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System in improving the electoral process.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, noted that while PVCs will remain valid for existing cardholders, future elections might allow voters to use slips generated by INEC or downloaded from its official website for accreditation. This change, he explained, would reduce costs, ease logistical challenges, and help prevent the misuse of voter cards.

“The commission also believes that with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, the use of the Permanent Voters’ Cards as the sole means of identification for voter accreditation on Election Day should be reviewed.

“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,” Yakubu explained.

However, giving an update in an interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday,  Oyekanmi stressed that any change in the voting procedure must be supported by corresponding legal amendments.

“It is not our stand alone that is important. Equally critical is what the subsisting law says. While the commission is favourable disposed to the recommendation by stakeholders (that PVCs alone should not be the only criterion for voting at an election), the law needs to be amended to reflect it,” he said.