INEC Proposes Digital Shift, Phase Out of PVCs

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled a series of proposed reforms to improve Nigeria’s electoral system, following lessons drawn from the 2023 general elections and subsequent off-cycle polls. INEC also confirmed it will soon present its legislative proposals to the relevant committees in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Speaking at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja on Thursday, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, outlined the commission’s plans to modernize election management and address long-standing challenges. He stated that the reforms were based on extensive consultations with internal and external stakeholders.

“In light of the 524-page report on the 2023 elections, which is available on our website, we have engaged both internally with our officials and externally with key stakeholders,” Yakubu said. “With the completion of five major off-cycle governorship elections and nine out of 21 bye-elections since the 2023 General Election, this is the ideal time to begin implementing the recommendations from our review.”

Yakubu revealed that the Commission has identified 142 recommendations aimed at addressing various facets of the electoral process. These include recommendations on voter management, public communication, election operations, political party management, security, and legal reforms.

The proposed reforms also emphasize the importance of legal clarity regarding result transmission, specifically balancing manual and electronic methods. The introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has underscored the need for a streamlined result management process, which INEC aims to further refine.

A key proposal is the potential replacement of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) with computer-generated slips or downloadable credentials for voter accreditation. According to the commission, this would reduce costs and eliminate voter card-buying schemes, which have previously marred the integrity of the voting process.

“The use of PVCs as the sole means of voter identification should be reviewed. While those with PVCs can still use them to vote, going forward, computer-generated slips or downloadable credentials will suffice for voter accreditation. This will not only reduce costs but also eliminate practices that disenfranchise voters.” Yakubu added.

The Commission also plans to introduce early and diaspora voting to accommodate citizens who cannot vote at their registered polling units, such as INEC staff, security personnel, and Nigerians living abroad.

Also, INEC is advocating for the unbundling of its responsibilities, proposing the creation of an electoral offences tribunal and a separate agency to oversee political party registration and regulation.

Other areas of reform include the cleaning of the voters’ register in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission and strengthening partnerships with transport unions to ensure the timely delivery of election materials.