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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed readiness to allow eligible Nigerians without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to vote in the 2027 general elections, provided the necessary legislative amendments are made. INEC’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, disclosed this to journalists on Wednesday, emphasizing the commission’s commitment to enhancing voter access through technology while adhering to existing legal frameworks.
The proposal stems from remarks by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during a December 2024 consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja. Yakubu highlighted the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) as a key tool in modernizing the electoral process. He suggested that while PVCs would remain valid for current holders, future elections could permit voters to use computer-generated slips issued by INEC or downloaded from its official website for accreditation.
“This shift will save costs, ease logistical burdens, and curb the diabolical practice of buying PVCs to disenfranchise voters,” Yakubu stated. He noted that moving away from a PVC-only system could streamline voting and address issues related to card collection and misuse.
However, Oyekanmi clarified on Wednesday that any change to the voting process requires legal backing. “While the commission supports stakeholders’ recommendations that PVCs should not be the sole criterion for voting, the law must be amended to reflect this,” he said. INEC’s stance underscores its push for electoral reforms to make voting more accessible while ensuring compliance with Nigeria’s legal framework.
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