INEC Signals Openness to PVC-Free Voting in 2027 Elections, Seeks Legal Backing

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared its readiness to embrace a more inclusive and technologically-driven voting process that would allow eligible Nigerians to vote without necessarily possessing a Permanent Voter Card (PVC) in the 2027 general elections. However, the Commission has stressed that such a transition will require legislative backing to ensure it aligns with Nigeria’s current electoral laws.

Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, disclosed this during an interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday, April 24, 2025. He reiterated the Commission’s commitment to enhancing voter access and simplifying the electoral process through the use of technology. Nonetheless, he noted that INEC cannot unilaterally make such a significant policy shift without legal amendments to support it.

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Technology as a Game-Changer in Nigerian Elections

This development stems from comments made by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, during a quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in December 2024. In his address, Yakubu highlighted the increasing reliance on technology to improve transparency and efficiency in elections, citing the successful use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

Yakubu proposed that while the PVC remains valid and in use, the electoral system must begin transitioning to a model where alternative means of identification—such as computer-generated slips issued by INEC or downloaded directly from its website—are also accepted for voter accreditation on election day.

“The commission believes that with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, the use of PVCs as the sole means of voter identification should be reviewed,” Yakubu said. “This approach will not only reduce costs and logistical stress but also combat the nefarious practice of voter card buying, which disenfranchises citizens.”

Legal Reforms: A Critical Hurdle

Despite INEC’s technological readiness and willingness to innovate, Oyekanmi emphasized that the law remains the foundation of Nigeria’s electoral process. “It is not our stand alone that is important. Equally critical is what the subsisting law says,” he noted.

According to him, for INEC to allow voters to use digital or printed slips instead of PVCs, the current electoral laws must be amended by the National Assembly. Without such legal modifications, the commission would be constrained to operate within the existing PVC-only framework.

While stakeholder consultations have been supportive of expanding voting access, Oyekanmi reiterated that the commission’s hands are tied until the law changes. “While the commission is favourably disposed to the recommendation that PVCs alone should not be the only criterion for voting, the law needs to be amended to reflect it,” he stated.

Potential Impact on Electoral Access and Participation

The potential move to allow computer-generated voter slips could significantly boost voter turnout, especially among citizens who encounter barriers in collecting their PVCs due to logistical challenges or administrative delays. In the past, many eligible voters have been disenfranchised simply because they were unable to obtain their cards before election day, despite having completed their registration.

By introducing an alternative means of voter accreditation, INEC hopes to bridge the gap between registration and actual participation, while also lowering the cost of producing and distributing PVCs—a major logistical challenge in a country with over 90 million registered voters.

Furthermore, this innovation could discourage electoral malpractices such as the mass purchase of PVCs by political actors seeking to suppress opposition votes. Digital or downloadable slips, when backed by biometric verification via BVAS, could render such acts futile.

A Call to the National Assembly

As the 2027 general elections draw nearer, attention is turning to the National Assembly to act swiftly in reviewing and amending the Electoral Act. Stakeholders, civil society groups, and electoral reform advocates are expected to push for the inclusion of provisions that legally recognize and regulate alternative accreditation methods.

INEC’s proposal aligns with broader global trends where electoral commissions are leveraging digital tools to improve access, reduce fraud, and streamline election day processes. However, Nigeria’s ability to join this wave of reform depends on political will and timely legislative action.

In the meantime, INEC remains committed to maintaining the credibility of the electoral process, while preparing for a possible legal and operational overhaul that could shape the future of voting in the country.