 |
| BVAS fingerprint scan replaces old PVC method. |
The Independent National Electoral Commission wants to let eligible Nigerians vote without PVCs in 2027 . This plan aims to boost access for people who lack cards. INEC says legal changes must clear the way for this shift .
Rotimi Oyekanmi, INEC’s press secretary, spoke in Abuja on April 23. He said technology can help but the law must catch up . He noted that sticking to old rules will block any new setup.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, has pushed tech in voting since December 2024 . He told electoral chiefs that BVAS now lets the commission rethink cards. Yakubu said paper or digital slips could replace PVCs at polls.
INEC ran trials in 2024 off-cycle elections that used ABIS and BVAS. Those runs cut voter exclusion by about 30% . The shift would cut costs and ease long lines at collection centers.
A report by the Centre for Democracy and Development says roughly seven million registered voters missed polls from PVC glitches in 2023 . INEC aims to prevent that gap in future polls.
Lawmakers must amend the Electoral Act for PVC-free voting. INEC plans to send proposals soon to the National Assembly . The commission cannot act alone once the law binds it to PVCs.
Labour Party and PDP back INEC’s idea as a step toward fairer elections . APC raised alarms over potential cyber risks. It urged tight security on digital checks.
Civil society groups praised INEC’s transparent actions in Delta state ward mapping . They see PVC-free voting as another way to curb abuse and fraud by party agents.
Critics warn that removing PVCs could invite new fraud if systems fail. They say back-up plans must cover network outages and hacking threats.
INEC says robust voter education will follow any change. It will team up with media and CSOs to guide voters on new steps at polling units.
The commission also plans special voting slots for workers away from home, like journalists and security officers . That aims to boost turnout among key groups.
INEC will also push for diaspora voting and a new electoral offences tribunal. It seeks a fresh body to register and watch political parties.
Experts say Nigeria can learn from India and South Africa, where biometric voting cut exclusion and fraud. INEC hopes to match those gains.
Stakeholders call for clear timelines. Many want draft bill details before public hearings begin. They urge open debates in state assemblies.
INEC says it will consult widely. It plans town halls, online forums, and radio talk shows. Those will vet plans and build public trust.
Next steps include tech tests, legal drafts, and stakeholder meetings. INEC aims to pilot full PVC-free voting in select states before national rollout.
If all moves succeed, 2027 may be Nigeria’s most inclusive election yet. Voters without cards could cast ballots with just a fingerprint or code.
The path hinges on lawmakers, tech firms, and civil groups. All must share data and work fast to meet INEC’s 2027 goal.
Nigeria’s democracy may get a new lease on life if PVCs lose their gatekeeper role. Time will tell if legal and tech fixes hold.
The proposal sparks fresh hope among millions who missed past votes. It also offers a test case for election reform across Africa.
As debates heat up, voters will watch the National Assembly. Their vote may soon need no physical card.
In the coming months, expect more news on bill drafts, tech trials, and public feedback. INEC aims for full clarity by end of year.
By opening ballots to all registered voters, Nigeria may cut disenfranchisement. It could set a global example for digital voting solutions.
Stay tuned as the push for PVC-free voting unfolds. The story is far from over, and citizens will hold all parties to account.