The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied claims circulating in a national newspaper (not Vanguard) that it plans to destroy over six million uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
In a statement released on its X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, INEC dismissed the report as false, urging the public to disregard it.
“Our attention has been drawn to a newspaper report that the Commission is contemplating the destruction of over six million uncollected PVCs going back to the 2015 voter registration.
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The report is incorrect. At no time did the Commission contemplate the destruction of uncollected PVCs. The public is advised to discountenance the story,” the statement read.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, recently highlighted potential reforms aimed at easing voter accreditation processes.
Speaking during a quarterly consultative meeting in Abuja, Yakubu proposed that computer-generated voting slips could serve as an alternative for those without PVCs, given the efficiency of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
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“Those who already have PVCs can still use them to vote. However, going forward, computer-generated slips issued to voters or downloaded from the Commission’s website will suffice for accreditation.
This approach will save costs and eliminate challenges tied to PVC collection and misuse,” Yakubu stated.
The commission also acknowledged a recommendation from stakeholders to review uncollected PVCs issued since 2015, though no decisions have been made on their withdrawal or destruction.
INEC’s reassurances come as the nation prepares for future elections, emphasizing its commitment to improving voter accessibility and addressing logistical challenges.
