Shift from Traditional Voter Cards
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced on Thursday its intention to reassess the use of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) as the only method of voter accreditation for the upcoming 2027 general elections. This proposal comes as part of broader electoral reforms, influenced by experiences from the 2023 elections and subsequent off-cycle polls.
New Accreditation Methods Suggested
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja, suggested that computer-generated slips, which could be issued or downloaded from the INEC website, might serve as an alternative for voter accreditation. “The Commission believes that with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the use of the PVC as the sole means of identification for voter accreditation on Election Day should be reviewed,” Yakubu stated.
Benefits of Modernizing Voter Accreditation
This proposed change aims to reduce costs associated with PVCs, address issues related to card collection, and combat practices like the buying of PVCs to disenfranchise voters. Yakubu emphasized that existing PVC holders would still be allowed to use their cards, providing a transitional approach to this new system.
Legislative Proposals and Broader Reforms
INEC plans to present these legislative proposals to the relevant Senate and House of Representatives committees. The commission has identified 142 recommendations from recent electoral activities, focusing on voter management, education, political party operations, and election technology among others. This move is part of INEC’s commitment to modernize election management and address long-standing challenges in Nigeria’s electoral process.
