(DDM) – Lawmakers in Nigeria’s National Assembly have introduced a controversial proposal seeking to amend the Electoral Act and make the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) optional for future elections.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the proposed amendment, which was presented during a public hearing, aims to allow other forms of identification such as the National Identification Number (NIN), Nigerian passport, or birth certificate as valid means of voter verification.
According to the lawmakers behind the proposal, the move is intended to modernize Nigeria’s electoral process and make it more inclusive for eligible voters who face difficulties obtaining or replacing their PVCs.
They argued that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) currently used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) does not rely on the PVC’s microchip for verification but instead uses biometric and facial recognition technology.
Hence, they say, the continued insistence on PVCs as the only valid form of identification creates unnecessary bottlenecks for millions of citizens willing to vote.
The lawmakers further proposed that NIN, which is already linked to national databases, can serve as a more efficient and secure method of voter identification during elections.
At the hearing, civil society groups, election observers, and legal experts presented mixed reactions to the proposal.
While some praised the initiative as a bold step toward digital modernization and voter inclusion, others warned that relaxing the PVC requirement could open the door to potential manipulation and identity fraud.
Pro-democracy advocates also urged the National Assembly to complement the reform with stronger security measures and improved data verification systems to prevent electoral abuse.
Beyond the PVC issue, the proposed amendment also calls for the compulsory electronic transmission of election results from polling units to strengthen transparency and public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) learned that the bill additionally seeks to criminalize the distribution of unstamped or unsigned ballot papers and result sheets, with proposed penalties ranging from heavy fines to jail terms for electoral officers found guilty.
Lawmakers behind the bill argue that these reforms will not only enhance the credibility of elections but also help rebuild citizens’ trust in the democratic process after years of controversy surrounding vote rigging and result manipulation.
Observers note that if passed, the amendment could mark one of the most significant overhauls of Nigeria’s electoral system since the 2022 Electoral Act reforms that introduced BVAS and electronic result transmission.
However, opponents insist that weakening the PVC’s legal requirement might undermine the efforts of INEC to maintain a consistent and tamper-proof voter database.
Analysts who spoke to DDM believe the ongoing debate signals a critical moment for Nigeria’s electoral future, as lawmakers balance between accessibility and security in the nation’s voting process.
The National Assembly is expected to continue deliberations on the proposal in the coming weeks, as pressure mounts from advocacy groups and political stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections.