This development follows remarks made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during a quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners held in Abuja in December 2024. He emphasised the growing role of technology, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), in modernising Nigeria’s electoral process.
Abuja, Nigeria – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed readiness to explore alternative methods of voter accreditation in the 2027 general elections, allowing eligible Nigerians to vote without necessarily possessing a Permanent Voter Card (PVC). However, the electoral body insists such a move must be underpinned by amendments to existing electoral laws.
This development follows remarks made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during a quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners held in Abuja in December 2024. He emphasised the growing role of technology, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), in modernising Nigeria’s electoral process.
Yakubu disclosed that while PVCs will remain valid for those who already have them, INEC is considering the use of computer-generated slips—either printed or downloaded from the commission’s website—for voter accreditation. This, he noted, would ease logistical challenges, reduce costs, and tackle the manipulation and purchase of voter cards aimed at disenfranchising voters.
According to the INEC boss, “The introduction of BVAS has opened new possibilities. Going forward, slips issued by the commission or generated online could suffice for accreditation. This will not only reduce the financial burden but also eliminate challenges around PVC collection and the unethical buying of voter cards.”
Giving an update on the proposal in an interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to expanding voter access. He clarified, however, that INEC cannot implement the plan unilaterally without legal backing.
“It is not just about what the commission wants. The laws of the land must support such changes,” Oyekanmi stated. “While INEC welcomes the recommendation from stakeholders advocating for flexibility beyond PVCs, the relevant laws must be revised to reflect this new direction.”
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