Members of the National Assembly are proposing an amendment to the Electoral Act that would make the use of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) optional for voters during elections.
The proposal, contained in a draft of amendments under consideration, seeks to revise Sections 18 and 47 of the 2022 Electoral Act, citing limitations in the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which reportedly does not recognise the microchip embedded in PVCs.
“The use of Permanent Voter Card (PVC) will not be compulsory, since the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) does not recognise the microchip in the PVC. Every registered voter will be able to download and print their voter’s card whenever needed. This totally eradicates the issue of buying and selling PVCs, likewise all related offences. This is reflected in section 18, section 47 and the deletion of section 22,” the proposal read.
It recommends that acceptable means of identification for voter registration include the National Identification Number (NIN), a Nigerian birth certificate, or a Nigerian passport. The proposed changes were discussed during a public hearing convened by the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Electoral Matters.
The introduction of BVAS into Nigeria’s elections has drawn criticism due to repeated failures in authenticating voters’ fingerprints or facial features, particularly in rural areas with weak internet connectivity. Delays in result transmission during the 2023 general elections and administrative challenges in distributing PVCs have also been cited as concerns.
The amendment package also addresses the electronic transmission of results. Section 60(5) is proposed to require presiding officers to transmit results, including the total number of accredited voters, both electronically and manually.
Akin Akingbolu of Yiaga Africa, representing civil society organisations, emphasised that mandatory electronic transmission would enhance the credibility of elections.
“Strengthening the Electoral Act to make electronic transmission of results mandatory, including the upload of polling unit level results and results sheets used at different levels of result collection, will deepen the credibility of electoral outcomes and ensure votes count,” he said.
Another notable proposed change is under Section 71(2), which seeks to criminalise the distribution of unstamped or unsigned ballot papers and results sheets. It recommends a minimum one-year imprisonment or a fine of N1 million, or both, for any presiding or collation officer involved in such offences.
“A presiding officer or collation officer who distributes or causes to be distributed any ballot paper or results sheet not duly stamped and signed as required under subsection (1) of this section commits an offence liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year or to a fine not less than N1,000,000 or both,” the section read.
