Abuja — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed its willingness to allow eligible Nigerians to vote in the 2027 general elections without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), provided that existing electoral laws are amended to support such a change.
Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, confirmed that the Commission is committed to expanding voter access through technological innovations. However, he emphasized that any move away from the current PVC-only model must be underpinned by corresponding legal reforms.
“The position of the Commission must align with the law. While INEC supports the suggestion that PVCs should not be the only means of voter identification, the law must be updated to reflect this,” Oyekanmi stated.
The initiative stems from earlier remarks by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, during a quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja in December 2024. He highlighted the growing reliance on the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and suggested that future elections could accommodate voters using digitally generated accreditation slips—either issued by INEC or downloaded from its website.
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“This innovation will reduce logistical challenges, lower costs, and curb the misuse of voter cards, particularly the fraudulent practice of buying PVCs to disenfranchise voters,” Yakubu explained.
INEC noted that while existing PVCs will remain valid, the implementation of BVAS paves the way for more flexible and secure accreditation methods in upcoming elections.
Still, Oyekanmi reiterated that any such changes must be backed by amendments to the Electoral Act. “It’s not just about INEC’s readiness—it’s also about what the current law permits. Legal backing is essential for any procedural shift,” he said.
If adopted, the reform could mark a significant step toward a more streamlined, inclusive, and technologically driven electoral process in Nigeria.
