The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has put forward a proposal to utilise computer-generated voting slips for individuals lacking Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in upcoming elections.
This recommendation was announced by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during a quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja on Thursday.
Yakubu stressed that PVCs should no longer be the sole requirement for voting, especially with the advent of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). He stated, “The use of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) as the exclusive means of identification for voter accreditation on Election Day must be reconsidered.”
He indicated that the commission has conducted extensive consultations with its officials and key stakeholders, resulting in 142 recommendations for improvement.
“We have engaged broadly with our officials and consulted all major stakeholders. We have also released a comprehensive 524-page report on the 2023 general election,” Yakubu said.
These recommendations address various facets of the electoral process, including voter management, voter education, and election technology. Yakubu noted that 86 of these recommendations require administrative action from the commission, while 48 necessitate intervention from other stakeholders, such as security agencies and political parties.
A significant highlight of the commission’s recommendations is the call for legal clarity in result management, particularly concerning manual versus electronic transmission of results. Yakubu underscored the importance of this issue for the integrity of the electoral process.
“The Commission also believes that with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the role of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) as the only means of identification for voter accreditation on Election Day should be reassessed,” he stated.
Instead, the commission recommends issuing computer-generated slips to voters or allowing downloads from the commission’s website. According to Yakubu, this approach will not only reduce costs but also address problems associated with PVC collection and the practice of hoarding cards to disenfranchise voters.
“Those who already possess PVCs can continue to use them to vote, but moving forward, computer-generated slips issued to voters, or downloaded from the Commission’s website, will be sufficient for voter accreditation,” Yakubu clarified.
The review report also includes recommendations for early or special voting for Nigerians unable to vote due to their responsibilities during elections, such as INEC officials and security personnel. Furthermore, the commission endorses diaspora voting, the establishment of an electoral offences tribunal, and the creation of a dedicated agency for political party registration and regulation.
Yakubu concluded by affirming the commission’s commitment to enhancing voter access and distribution to polling units. “The Commission will take decisive action on improving voter access and distribution to polling units,” he announced.