The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has indicated its willingness to allow eligible Nigerians without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to vote in the 2027 general elections, contingent on amendments to current electoral laws. This position was confirmed by Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, during an interview with. Oyekanmi explained that although INEC supports the idea of enhancing voter access through technology, it cannot act outside the bounds of the law. “It’s not solely about INEC’s position,” he said. “What the law currently stipulates is equally important. While the commission is in favour of proposals suggesting that PVCs shouldn’t be the only requirement for voting, legal revisions are necessary.”
This follows comments made by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during a quarterly meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in December 2024. Yakubu revealed that INEC is exploring alternatives to PVCs to boost efficiency and curb election-related fraud. He suggested that with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System now in place, other means of voter identification, such as computer-generated slips or downloadable credentials from INEC’s website, could replace PVCs for accreditation. This shift could reduce costs and prevent the manipulation associated with PVC collection and voter suppression tactics.
The proposal has ignited discussions among electoral reform advocates, who view it as a progressive step toward a more inclusive and tech-driven voting system. Nevertheless, Oyekanmi reiterated that such reforms must be grounded in legal amendments to be implemented.
