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, but insists that the move requires legislative amendments.

On Wednesday, INEC Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the commission supports expanding voter access through technology. However, he added, “It is not our stand alone that is important. Equally critical is what the subsisting law says. While the commission is favourably disposed to the recommendation by stakeholders (that PVCs alone should not be the only criterion for voting at an election), the law needs to be amended to reflect it.”

The proposal aligns with comments made by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during a consultative meeting in December 2024. Yakubu emphasized the evolving role of technology in elections, specifically the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

“The commission also believes that with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, the use of the Permanent Voters’ Cards as the sole means of identification for voter accreditation on Election Day should be reviewed,” Yakubu said.

He noted that while PVCs would still be valid for those who have them, future elections could allow the use of INEC-generated or downloadable slips for voter accreditation.

“Those who already have the PVCs can still use them to vote, but going forward, computer-generated slips issued to the voter or even downloaded from the Commission’s website will suffice for voter accreditation. This will not only save cost, it will also eliminate the issues around the collection of PVCs and the diabolical practice of buying up the cards from voters in order to disenfranchise them,” he added.

The commission maintains that implementation of any such reform must be accompanied by changes to the Electoral Act.