INEC Proposes Game-Changing Shift: PVCs No Longer Mandatory for Voting"

By Achimi Muktar

In a significant move to reshape Nigeria’s electoral process, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed allowing voters without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to use computer-generated voting slips as an alternative. This recommendation, announced by INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, aims to modernize and streamline voter accreditation, especially with the adoption of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

Prof. Yakubu made the announcement during INEC’s quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja on Thursday. He emphasized that the PVC should no longer be the sole requirement for voting in future elections, citing the efficiency and flexibility BVAS introduces to the electoral process.

Key Insights from the INEC Proposal

Cost and Accessibility Benefits

Yakubu highlighted that introducing computer-generated slips, downloadable from INEC’s website, would save costs and eliminate issues tied to PVC distribution. This change could also curtail the prevalent issue of PVC hoarding and vote buying, which have marred past elections.

Comprehensive Review of 2023 Elections

Following the release of a 524-page report analyzing the 2023 general elections, INEC identified 142 recommendations to improve Nigeria’s electoral system. These recommendations address voter education, electoral operations, security, legal frameworks, and the introduction of special voting provisions for journalists, security personnel, and INEC staff deployed outside their registration areas.

Special and Diaspora Voting

The report includes provisions for early voting for essential workers such as journalists and election officials, as well as advocating for diaspora voting to engage Nigerians abroad in the democratic process.

Legal and Legislative Overhauls

Out of the recommendations, eight require legislative action, including clarifications on manual versus electronic result transmission, unbundling INEC’s responsibilities, and establishing an electoral offences tribunal.

Voter Register and Accessibility

INEC plans to collaborate with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the National Population Commission (NPC) to clean up the voter register, ensuring accurate and up-to-date data. Efforts to enhance polling unit accessibility and distribution are also underway.

A Forward-Looking Electoral Vision

Yakubu underscored that while PVCs would remain valid for those who possess them, the introduction of alternative accreditation methods represents a bold step toward a more inclusive and efficient voting system.

“This will not only save costs but also eliminate the issues surrounding PVC collection and the practice of buying cards to disenfranchise voters,” he said.

The proposal marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s electoral history, signaling a commitment to innovation and inclusivity in the nation’s democratic process. As the National Assembly deliberates on these reforms, Nigerians await a clearer and more accessible electoral future.