The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed significant electoral reforms aimed at improving future elections in Nigeria, leveraging lessons learned from the 2023 general elections and subsequent off-cycle polls.
Key highlights of these reforms, shared by INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu during a quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja, include the following:
Replacement of PVC as the Sole Voting Requirement
INEC recommends that Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) no longer be the sole requirement for voting. Instead, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will allow computer-generated slips or documents downloaded from INEC’s website to serve as voter accreditation means. This change aims to:
- Reduce costs associated with PVC production.
- Resolve challenges related to PVC collection.
- Eliminate practices like buying PVCs to disenfranchise voters.
Comprehensive Review of Electoral Process
INEC has developed 142 recommendations for electoral improvement:
- 86 administrative recommendations requiring action by INEC.
- 48 recommendations necessitating collaboration with stakeholders like security agencies, political parties, and civil society.
- 8 recommendations calling for legislative reforms by the National Assembly, including clarity on manual versus electronic result transmission.
Additional Proposed Reforms
- Special Voting for Essential Workers: Early voting for INEC officials, security personnel, journalists, and other essential workers deployed outside their registration areas during elections.
- Diaspora Voting: Introducing mechanisms to enable Nigerians living abroad to participate in elections.
- Electoral Offences Tribunal: Establishing a tribunal and a separate agency to manage political party registration and regulation.
- Affirmative Action: Encouraging increased participation of underrepresented groups.
Voter Register Cleanup and Fake News Mitigation
INEC plans to collaborate with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the National Population Commission (NPC) to update and clean the voters’ register. To combat misinformation, INEC will intensify voter education efforts.
Improved Logistics for Elections
Building on recent experiences, INEC aims to refine logistics processes to ensure:
- Early deployment of materials.
- Smooth operations on election day.
- Effective partnerships with transport unions and service providers.
These recommendations are part of INEC’s commitment to ensuring credible, inclusive, and seamless elections in Nigeria. By addressing voter accessibility, security, and transparency, these reforms have the potential to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process.