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.”

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