The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has outlined major reforms aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s electoral system, drawing from insights gained during the 2023 general elections and subsequent off-cycle polls.
Among the key proposals are the introduction of diaspora voting and the gradual phasing out of the use of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) during elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, shared these plans on Thursday in Abuja during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners.
He also noted that the commission intends to present these proposals to the relevant committees in both the Senate and House of Representatives in the near future.
He said, “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, the use of the Permanent Voters’ Cards 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 cost, it will also eliminate the issues around the collection of PVCs and the diabolical practice of buying up the cards from voters to disenfranchise them.
“There are also recommendations in support of diaspora voting, the unbundling of the commission with the establishment of electoral offenses 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.”
INEC Chairman explained that these recommendations were captured in a 524-page review report on the 2023 general elections
He said, “With the conclusion of five major off-cycle governorship elections and nine out of 21 bye-elections since the 2023 general elections, this is the most appropriate time for us to commence the implementation of the recommendations arising from our review of the general elections.
“From the internal and external engagements, the commission has identified 142 recommendations dealing with the general state of preparedness, voter management, voter education and public communication, political parties and candidate management, electoral operations, and logistics management, election officials and personnel, partnership and collaboration, monitoring and supervision, election technology, voting and result management, election security, electoral offences, and the electoral legal framework,” the chairman said.
Of these, 86 require administrative action by the commission, 48 rely on collaboration with stakeholders like security agencies and civil society organizations, and 8 necessitate legislative amendments by the National Assembly.
Yakubu noted, “Out of the 142 recommendations, 86 require administrative action by the commission. It is therefore pertinent that we engage first with our Resident Electoral Commissioners because of your frontline role in the implementation of the recommendations.
“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 action 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.”
The proposed reforms focus on ensuring legal clarity regarding result transmission, particularly concerning the roles of manual and electronic methods.
Yakubu emphasized that the implementation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System has underscored the need for a more efficient process.
He proposed replacing Permanent Voter Cards with computer-generated slips or downloadable credentials for voter accreditation, aiming to cut costs and eliminate voter card-buying practices.
Yakubu also announced plans to introduce early and diaspora voting to accommodate citizens unable to vote at their registered polling units, including INEC staff, security personnel, and Nigerians living abroad.
Furthermore, INEC is advocating for the decentralization of its functions, proposing the creation of an electoral offences tribunal and a separate body to manage political party registration and regulation.
Other key reform areas include updating the voter register in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission and strengthening partnerships with transport unions to ensure the timely distribution of election materials.
The commission also intends to intensify voter education efforts to counter misinformation and encourage greater participation, particularly among marginalized groups.
“As a matter of urgency, the commission also intends to develop protocols for the cleaning up of the voters’ register in collaboration with other agencies such as the National Identity Management Commission and the National Population Commission. Other areas of reform include advocacy for affirmative action for greater participation of under-represented groups, more robust voter education, and public communication to combat fake news and misinformation,” Yakubu stated.
The recommendations, detailed in an extensive report, will soon be accessible to the public in both print and digital formats.
Yakubu encouraged the RECs to thoroughly review the report and actively participate in shaping a more efficient and inclusive electoral system.
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