The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to phase out the use of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and introduce diaspora voting as part of proposed electoral reforms in 2025.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja, stating that the reforms aim to improve transparency, reduce costs, and address challenges such as PVC collection and voter disenfranchisement.
According to Yakubu, voters will be able to use computer-generated slips or credentials downloaded from INEC’s website for accreditation.
The commission also plans to implement diaspora voting for Nigerians abroad and early voting for INEC staff and security personnel on election duties.
Other proposals include establishing an Electoral Offences Tribunal, unbundling INEC to create a separate agency for political party regulation, and intensifying voter education campaigns to combat misinformation and encourage participation by marginalized groups.
Yakubu highlighted INEC’s ongoing collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission to clean up the voters’ register and ensure seamless voter access to polling units. He added that the recommendations would be presented to the National Assembly for legislative approval.
These reforms are part of a review report on the 2023 general elections, which identified 142 recommendations to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system.
