2027 Elections: INEC Moves to Approve Voting Without Permanent Voter Cards

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shown interest in allowing eligible Nigerians to vote in the 2027 general elections even if they don’t have their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). However, this change can only happen if the current electoral law is updated.

According to The PUNCH, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, said that the commission is open to using new technology to make voting easier and more accessible. But for this to work, the laws guiding elections in Nigeria must be adjusted to support the change.

This idea first came up in December 2024, when INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, addressed Resident Electoral Commissioners during a quarterly meeting in Abuja. He talked about how technology, especially the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), is improving the election process.

Professor Yakubu explained that although the PVC will still be valid for those who already have it, INEC is considering a new system where voters can use computer-generated slips for accreditation. These slips could be printed at INEC offices or downloaded from the commission’s website.

He added that using slips instead of just PVCs would reduce election costs, simplify logistics, and stop the buying and hoarding of voter cards meant to stop people from voting.

“The PVC will still be useful for those who already have it. But in the future, voters may be allowed to use a slip issued by INEC or downloaded from our website to be accredited,” Yakubu said. “This change will help cut down costs and prevent the common problems with collecting PVCs. It will also help stop the bad practice of people buying voter cards to keep others from voting.”

However, INEC made it clear that the idea cannot move forward unless the National Assembly changes the law. Oyekanmi stressed that while the commission agrees with the idea, it can’t act alone.

He said, “It’s not just about what INEC wants. The current law must also allow it. While we support the suggestion that voting shouldn’t be limited to just people with PVCs, we still need the law to be changed before we can go ahead.”

READ ALSO: Segun Sowunmi Urged Peter Obi to Return to PDP Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has already made the process of identifying voters more reliable by using both fingerprint and facial recognition. With this system, INEC believes it can better manage voter verification, even without physical PVCs.

If this idea becomes law, it would make voting easier for many Nigerians, especially those who find it difficult to collect their PVCs. It could also help reduce voter suppression by making it harder for political actors to buy up cards to prevent people from voting.

Until the law is changed, however, the PVC remains the only official document accepted on election day. INEC is encouraging lawmakers to review the current rules so that more flexible and tech-friendly voting methods can be introduced in future elections.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION→ Telegram | X/Twitter | Facebook | WhatsApp|WhatsApp Channel|Mobile App|Instagram