INEC seeks reforms to improve Nigeria’s Electoral system

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday sought reforms to improve the country’s electoral system.

Speaking during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja, INEC s Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, stated that computer-generated slips issued to the voter or even downloaded from the Commission’s website as sufficient means of accreditation.

Yakubu disclosed that the electoral body would soon present its legislative proposals to the relevant committees in the National Assembly.

The Commission proposed a review of the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) as the sole means of accreditation of eligible voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The Commission also believes that with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the use of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) as the sole means of identification for voter accreditation on Election Day should be reviewed.

“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”, said INEC Chairman.