BREAKING: INEC to dump BVAS, PVCs, proposes computer-generated voting slips for future elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed the use of computer-generated voting slips as an alternative for individuals without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in future elections.

This recommendation was disclosed by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during a quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja on Thursday.

Prof. Yakubu explained that the proposal is in line with the advancements brought by the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), emphasizing that PVCs should no longer be the sole requirement for voting.

The meeting also marked the commencement of INEC’s implementation of recommendations from the 2023 General Election review, following consultations with officials and major stakeholders.

INEC’s internal and external reviews identified 142 recommendations aimed at improving electoral processes. These recommendations focus on:

Voter management

Electoral operations and logistics

Election technology

Result management

Election security

Legal framework enhancements

Out of these, 86 recommendations require administrative action by INEC, which has already conducted five major off-cycle governorship elections and nine out of 21 bye-elections since the general elections.

Prof. Yakubu emphasized that these changes are crucial for refining Nigeria’s electoral process and ensuring a seamless voting experience in future elections.

“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.

Early voting for journalists and other essential workers.

“The review report also contains recommendations on early/special voting for the millions of Nigerians who do not vote at the moment on account of the roles they play during elections, such as INEC officials, security personnel, ad hoc staff, observers, and journalists who are deployed outside the places where they registered to vote.

“There are also recommendations in support of diaspora voting, the unbundling of the Commission with the establishment of an electoral offences tribunal, and a separate agency to handle the registration and regulation of political parties. Similarly, the Commission will step up action on voter access and distribution to polling units,” he added.

The INEC Chairman also disclosed that as a matter of urgency, the Commission intends to develop protocols for the cleaning up of the voters’ register in collaboration with other agencies such as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the National Population Commission (NPC).

He said other areas of reform include advocacy for affirmative action for greater participation of under-represented groups and more robust voter education and public communication to combat fake news and misinformation.

“Furthermore, the Commission intends to review the mechanisms for a more effective implementation of agreements on logistics with the transport unions and other service providers by consolidating on the recent experience with early deployment and commencement of elections in the recent Ondo State Governorship election,” Yakubu added.