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ABUJA, Nigeria (CHATNEWSTV) — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed a series of reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s electoral system, drawing on lessons learned from the 2023 general elections and subsequent off-cycle polls.
Key proposals include the introduction of early and diaspora voting, which would allow Nigerians who are unable to vote at their registered polling units—including INEC staff, security personnel, and citizens living abroad—to participate in the electoral process.
“We have identified 142 recommendations to address key challenges and modernize election management,” INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said Thursday at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja. “These recommendations span areas such as voter management, political party regulation, election security, and the legal framework.”
Yakubu emphasized the importance of legal clarity in result transmission, specifically the roles of manual and electronic methods. He called for a streamlined process for voter accreditation, including the potential replacement of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) with computer-generated slips or downloadable credentials to reduce costs and curb the buying of voter cards.
“With the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, the use of PVCs as the sole means of identification should be reviewed,” Yakubu explained. “Computer-generated slips or downloadable credentials would suffice for voter accreditation, helping to eliminate the issue of PVC buying.”
INEC also proposes the establishment of an electoral offences tribunal and a separate agency to oversee political party registration and regulation. Additionally, the commission plans to clean up the voters’ register in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and promote greater voter education, particularly to combat misinformation.
Yakubu noted that of the 142 recommendations, 86 require administrative action by INEC, while 48 need collaboration with external stakeholders, such as security agencies and civil society groups. Eight recommendations call for legislative amendments, which will soon be presented to the National Assembly.
“Among the highlights is the push for diaspora voting and the unbundling of INEC’s responsibilities,” Yakubu said. “We will also focus on improving voter access, and ensuring election materials are deployed on time with the help of transport unions.”
Yakubu urged the Resident Electoral Commissioners to engage deeply with the reform proposals, emphasizing that the commission’s vision is to build a more efficient and inclusive electoral system. The full report, which includes detailed recommendations, will soon be available in both hard and soft copies to the public.
