Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will introduce downloadable Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and a fully online voter registration system as part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Gatekeepers News reports that INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, disclosed the plan during a meeting with the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, in Abuja. He said the initiative is aimed at making voter registration and participation easier for Nigerians.
Amupitan explained that the downloadable PVC option will only be available to voters who previously collected a physical PVC but later lost it, damaged it, or can no longer read the details on the card. Affected voters will be required to file a complaint at least 90 days before an election for the replacement process to be completed.
According to him, INEC plans to pilot the downloadable PVC technology during the upcoming Osun governorship election in August before extending it to future elections, including the 2027 general election.
The INEC chairman also revealed that the commission is finalising a platform that will allow eligible Nigerians to complete voter registration entirely online without visiting INEC offices for biometric capture. He said testing of the technology will begin once it receives approval from the commission.
Amupitan said the reforms are designed to reduce voter disenfranchisement, improve access to electoral services and ensure that every eligible Nigerian can register and participate in elections more conveniently.
