The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that eligible Nigerians will be allowed to vote in the 2027 general elections without a Permanent Voter Card (PVC).
INEC said the move is part of efforts to expand voter access and leverage digital verification systems to ensure credible and inclusive polls.
However, the electoral body said this can only happen if the country’s election laws are changed to support it.
The commission shared this plan as part of its goal to make voting easier by using modern technology.
INEC is exploring new ways to accredit voters beyond just the PVC.
This includes using slips that can be printed out by the voter or downloaded directly from the INEC website.
Those who already have their PVCs will still be able to vote with them.
The idea was first mentioned in December 2024 during a meeting between INEC and its state officials.
At the time, INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, explained that the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has made it possible to think differently about how voter identity is confirmed.
He said this change could also help cut election costs and stop illegal practices like buying PVCs to prevent people from voting.
Even with these steps, INEC says it cannot move forward without changes to the current electoral law.
According to the commission, what matters most is what the law allows, not just what it wants to do.
“So, unless lawmakers agree and update the rules, PVCs will remain the only legal means of voter identification.”
