The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is considering introducing computer-generated voting slips as an alternative for voters who do not possess Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) during elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced this proposal on Thursday during a quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja. He emphasized that with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), PVCs should no longer be the sole requirement for voter accreditation.
Key Developments
Prof. Yakubu explained that this proposal comes as part of INEC’s efforts to improve the electoral process following its comprehensive review of the 2023 general election. INEC has identified 142 recommendations for reform, addressing various aspects of the electoral system, including:
- Voter management.
- Electoral technology and logistics.
- Political party oversight.
- Election security and legal frameworks.
Among these, 86 recommendations require administrative action by INEC, while 48 involve collaboration with stakeholders such as security agencies, mobile network operators, political parties, transport unions, civil society organizations, and the media. Eight recommendations necessitate legislative action by the National Assembly, and INEC plans to present these to the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters soon.
Highlights of the Proposal
One significant recommendation focuses on the use of BVAS to streamline voter accreditation. Prof. Yakubu stated that voters with PVCs will still be able to use them; however, alternatives such as computer-generated slips—issued by INEC or downloadable from its website—could also be used for accreditation.
“This change will not only reduce costs but also address challenges surrounding PVC collection and curb unethical practices like the buying of PVCs to disenfranchise voters,” he noted.
Next Steps
With five off-cycle governorship elections and nine bye-elections concluded since the 2023 general election, INEC sees this as the right time to begin implementing these reforms. The Commission plans to present its recommendations on electoral reform to the National Assembly while continuing consultations with key stakeholders.
INEC’s proposal signals a potential shift in Nigeria’s electoral process, aiming to enhance transparency, reduce logistical challenges, and improve voter access ahead of future elections.
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Opeoluwa Benson – Content Researcher
