INEC Proposes Legal Framework for Voting Without PVCs Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to allow eligible Nigerians without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to vote in the 2027 general elections, provided that the move is backed by necessary legal reforms. This potential shift in voter accreditation was confirmed by Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, in an interview with The Punch on Wednesday.

Oyekanmi said INEC remains committed to broadening electoral access through the use of technology, but clarified that current laws would need to be amended before voters could be accredited without PVCs. His remarks echoed the position of INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who had previously raised the issue during a consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja in December 2024.

Prof. Yakubu had underscored the increasing relevance of technology, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), in simplifying the electoral process. He suggested that future elections might allow voters to use digitally generated slips—either printed or downloaded from INEC’s website—for accreditation, in addition to the traditional PVC.

According to Yakubu, this approach would reduce the cost and logistical challenges associated with producing and distributing PVCs, while also helping to combat the manipulation and hoarding of voter cards for electoral malpractice. He assured that current PVC holders would still be able to use their cards, but that alternative digital accreditation methods could provide greater flexibility moving forward.

Despite this forward-looking stance, Oyekanmi cautioned that any such change cannot proceed without a corresponding amendment to the existing electoral laws. “It is not our stand alone that is important. Equally critical is what the subsisting law says,” he said. “While the commission is favourably disposed to the recommendation by stakeholders, the law needs to be amended to reflect it.”

INEC’s proposal reflects a growing consensus among stakeholders for more inclusive and technologically advanced voting systems, but its implementation now hinges on the legislative process.