By Paschal Emeka / Abuja Posted 12 December 2024
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed the replacement of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) with computer-generated slips for voter accreditation.
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The INEC Chairman, according to Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this known at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja on Thursday, where he also outlined several recommendations from the commission’s review of the 2023 General Election.
According to Yakubu, “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.
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“This will not only save cost, 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.”
The INEC Chairman explained that the commission has identified 142 recommendations arising from its review of the 2023 General Election, out of which 86 require administrative action by the commission, while 48 require action by various stakeholders.
Yakubu also revealed that the commission plans to develop protocols for cleaning up the voters’ register in collaboration with other agencies such as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the National Population Commission (NPC), as well as review mechanisms for a more effective implementation of agreements on logistics with transport unions and other service providers.
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The INEC Chairman hinted at plans to introduce early/special voting for millions of Nigerians who do not vote due to their roles during elections, as well as support for diaspora voting and unbundling of the commission with the establishment of electoral offences tribunal and a separate agency to handle registration and regulation of political parties.