Election: INEC Moves to Approve Voting Without Permanent Voter Cards

In a move toward modernizing Nigeria’s electoral system, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is exploring the possibility of allowing citizens to vote in the 2027 general elections without presenting a Permanent Voter Card (PVC).

The proposal, which would mark a major shift in how voters are accredited, is part of the commission’s broader plan to integrate more flexible and tech driven solutions into the electoral process.

However, the success of the initiative hinges on securing necessary legislative amendments.

Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, confirmed that the commission is committed to expanding access through innovation. He stressed, however, that existing laws must first be revised before any such change can be implemented.

 INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, floated the possibility late last year during a quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja. He suggested that in the future, eligible voters might be able to use downloadable accreditation slips either printed from INEC’s website or issued digitally rather than presenting a physical voter card.

Yakubu noted that this approach could cut election costs, ease logistical challenges, and help clamp down on voter card trafficking and disenfranchisement. He also pointed to the increasing reliance on the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which uses biometrics to verify identities, as a key enabler of this digital transition.