The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suggested that Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) should no longer be the sole requirement for voting in future elections.
The introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has prompted the commission to recommend that computer-generated voting slips be used for voter accreditation, especially for those without PVCs.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja at a quarterly consultative meeting with Residents Electoral Commissioners (RECs), INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, explained that the commission had extensively reviewed the 2023 general election and subsequent off-cycle governorship and bye-elections.
This review has led to the development of 142 recommendations aimed at improving the electoral process.
Yakubu highlighted the importance of these recommendations, which cover areas such as voter management, election operations, public communication, security, and the legal framework.
Among the 142 recommendations, 86 require administrative action by INEC, while 48 involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including political parties, security agencies, and civil society organizations.
Yakubu said, “This is followed by 48 recommendations that require action by a variety of stakeholders, including security agencies, mobile network operators, statutory bodies, political parties, transport unions, civil society organisations, and the media.
“On the legal review, there are eight recommendations that require legislative actions by the National Assembly. Very soon, the Commission will make a presentation to the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Electoral Matters as they continue to deliberate on electoral reform.
“Among the major highlights of the Commission’s recommendations is the imperative of legal clarity in result management with regard to manual transfer versus the electronic transmission of results.
“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 costs; 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.”
The report also includes suggestions for early voting for essential workers, such as journalists, INEC officials, and security personnel, as well as exploring the possibility of diaspora voting.
Other reforms proposed include the creation of an electoral offences tribunal and a dedicated agency for regulating political party registration.
“The review report also contains recommendations on early/special voting for the millions of Nigerians who do not vote at the moment on account of the roles they play during elections, such as INEC officials, security personnel, ad hoc staff, observers, and journalists who are deployed outside the places where they registered to vote.
“There are also recommendations in support of diaspora voting, the unbundling of the Commission with the establishment of an electoral offences tribunal, and a separate agency to handle the registration and regulation of political parties. Similarly, the Commission will step up action on voter access and distribution to polling units,” he added.
In a bid to enhance voter access, Yakubu announced plans to collaborate with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the National Population Commission (NPC) to clean up the voters’ register.
The commission will also advocate for affirmative action to encourage greater participation from underrepresented groups and will enhance efforts to combat fake news through improved voter education.
Lastly, INEC plans to refine its logistics processes, building on the lessons learned from early deployments in recent elections, to ensure smoother operations in future polls.
“Furthermore, the Commission intends to review the mechanisms for a more effective implementation of agreements on logistics with the transport unions and other service providers by consolidating on the recent experience with early deployment and commencement of elections in the recent Ondo State Governorship election,” Yakubu concluded.