The National Assembly is considering major changes to the Electoral Act, including early voting, mandatory electronic result transmission, and allowing NIN or passport in place of PVCs.
The National Assembly is proposing major amendments to the Electoral Act 2022 ahead of the 2027 general election, including early voting and making the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) optional.
The proposals were presented on Monday at a public hearing by the joint committee on electoral matters. Lawmakers want the 2027 elections held in November 2026 to allow time for post-election cases before inauguration.
Under the proposal, voters could use alternative identification such as a National Identification Number (NIN) or passport, while electronic voting and result transmission would become mandatory.
“The use of Permanent Voter Card (PVC) will not be compulsory, since the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) does not recognise the microchip in the PVC,” the draft reads.
The amendment also introduces early voting for security personnel, INEC officials, and journalists. Lawmakers say the reforms will improve transparency, curb malpractice, and modernise Nigeria’s electoral system.