INEC Eyes Voting Without PVC in 2027

 In a bold move that could reshape Nigeria’s democratic landscape, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has signaled its openness to allowing voting without Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for the 2027 general elections, provided the National Assembly amends the Electoral Act.

INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, speaking at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners, emphasized the pivotal role of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in streamlining voter verification, potentially rendering PVCs obsolete, as reported by news sources. This announcement, sparking heated debate across nationwide, has ignited both hope for inclusivity and fears of electoral fraud as Nigeria braces for a fiercely contested 2027 race.

Yakubu highlighted that BVAS, which authenticates voters via biometrics, could enable voting with alternative IDs if legally backed, addressing the 20% of registered voters who failed to collect PVCs in 2023, per The Republic. “Technology has advanced our processes, but any change requires legislative approval,” he noted, urging lawmakers to act swiftly. 

The proposal aims to boost turnout, given the 2023 election’s dismal 27% participation rate, where only 24 million of 93.5 million registered voters cast ballots, according to Bloomberg. Yet, critics, including PDP stalwarts, warn of vulnerabilities to rigging, citing INEC’s 2023 glitches with BVAS and the IReV portal, which delayed result uploads.

X posts erupted with polarized reactions, some hailing the move as a “democratic leap,” others decrying it as “the end of credible elections.” Electoral experts, per Sahara Reporters, caution that robust cybersecurity and public trust—currently at 23% for INEC—are critical to prevent manipulation. The proposal follows President Tinubu’s security directives to curb electoral violence, signaling a broader reform push.