By Maryam Shuaibu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will introduce downloadable Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for eligible voters who have lost or damaged their original cards as part of efforts to modernise Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, announced the initiative on Wednesday while receiving the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, during a courtesy visit to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Mr Amupitan explained that the new digital option is designed to make voter services more accessible but clarified that it would only be available to individuals who had previously collected their physical PVCs.
“It is not every PVC that is downloadable. You must have gotten your PVC before, and it must be that the PVC is lost, defaced or if you cannot read your numbers there,” he said.
According to him, voters seeking a downloadable replacement must formally report the loss or damage to the commission at least 90 days before an election to allow sufficient time for processing.
The INEC chairman disclosed that the commission plans to pilot the technology during the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August before considering wider implementation.
He also revealed that INEC is finalising another digital innovation that will enable eligible Nigerians to complete voter registration entirely online, eliminating the need to visit INEC offices or registration centres for physical enrolment.
“We have also been working on the technology that is going to make it possible for the registration of voters online without even having to visit INEC local government or registration areas.”
“So hopefully in the next few days, we will be testing it as soon as the commission approves it,” he said.
Mr Amupitan said the digital reforms are aimed at making voter registration more convenient, reducing barriers to participation, and ensuring that eligible Nigerians are not disenfranchised ahead of future elections.