INEC proposes use of computer-generated slips for voter accreditation during elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed the use of computer-generated slips for voter accreditation during elections.

Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, disclosed this on Thursday at a meeting with the resident electoral commissioners (REC) on planning and reform learning from the experience of the 2023 general election.

Yakubu said the commission consulted widely internally with its officials and external stakeholders to identify 142 recommendations dealing with the general state of preparedness, voter management, voter education, public communication and the electoral legal framework.

The chairman said 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,” he said.

Yakubu said with the introduction of the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS), the use of the permanent voters’ cards (PVC) 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,” he said.

“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 in order to disenfranchise them.”

He said the report also contains recommendations on early/special voting for the millions of Nigerians who do not vote at the moment on account of the roles they play during elections.

They include INEC officials, security personnel, ad hoc staff, observers and journalists who are deployed outside the places where they registered to vote.

“There are also recommendations in support of diaspora voting, the unbundling of the commission with the establishment of electoral offences tribunal and a separate agency to handle the registration and regulation of political parties,” he said.

“Similarly, the commission will step up action on voter access and distribution to polling units.”