Electoral Commission says technology has rendered stolen PVCs ineffective, urges politicians to abandon vote-buying and violence as experts examine the implications of the amended Electoral Act 2026.
By Isiaka Dare
Ilorin, Kwara State | July 31, 2026
As preparations gradually gather momentum for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued one of its strongest assurances yet on the integrity of the electoral process, declaring that politicians stockpiling Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) can no longer manipulate election outcomes.
The electoral body says technological improvements in voter accreditation have made it impossible for individuals to vote with another person’s PVC, insisting that the era when politicians allegedly amassed voters’ cards to influence elections is effectively over.
INEC also reaffirmed its commitment to conducting elections that reflect the genuine will of Nigerians while urging political actors to focus on issue-based campaigns instead of vote-buying, violence and other electoral malpractices.
The declaration comes amid renewed national debate over electoral reforms, public confidence in democratic institutions and the implementation of the newly amended Electoral Act 2026, which is expected to govern the 2027 polls.
INEC: Stockpiling PVCs No Longer Determines Election Outcomes
Speaking during a seminar organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ilorin, the Head of Voter Education and Publicity for INEC in Kwara State, Dr. Adejumo Peter, dismissed reports that some politicians were still collecting or storing Permanent Voter Cards in preparation for future elections.
According to him, such tactics belong to a bygone era because Nigeria’s electoral technology has significantly reduced the possibility of voting with another person’s PVC.
He explained that improvements in voter accreditation systems now make it difficult for stolen or purchased voter cards to be used to cast ballots.
“Many politicians are still living in the past. Stockpiling or carting away PVCs cannot guarantee electoral victory,” he said.
Why Vote-Buying Remains a Major Concern
Although INEC believes PVC hoarding has largely lost its value as an electoral strategy, the commission acknowledged that vote-buying remains a significant challenge.
According to Dr. Peter, politicians who can no longer manipulate voter accreditation have increasingly shifted their focus toward inducing voters with money or material gifts.
Election observers have repeatedly identified vote-buying as one of the biggest threats to Nigeria’s electoral credibility in recent election cycles.
Analysts argue that while technology has strengthened voter accreditation, broader reforms involving enforcement, prosecution of offenders and voter education remain essential to curb financial inducement at polling units.
INEC Promises ‘One Person, One Vote’ in 2027
Reassuring Nigerians ahead of the next general elections, the commission pledged to conduct elections based strictly on constitutional and electoral guidelines.
Dr. Peter stated that INEC would continue to implement the principle of “one person, one vote,” emphasizing that the outcome of elections should accurately reflect the wishes of eligible voters.
He urged political parties and candidates to focus on presenting policies and programmes capable of attracting public support rather than relying on unlawful tactics.
The commission also appealed to political actors to reject violence before, during and after elections and to accept legitimate electoral outcomes.
Electoral Act 2026 Introduces New Reforms
The seminar also examined the implications of the recently amended Electoral Act 2026, which legal experts believe could reshape Nigeria’s electoral landscape.
Delivering a presentation titled “Dissecting the Amended Electoral Act 2026: Innovations and Implications for Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections,” INEC’s Head of Legal Unit in Kwara State, Atata Abdulfatai, described the legislation as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
According to him, the amended law introduces reforms intended to:
- Improve electoral transparency.
- Strengthen internal democracy within political parties.
- Expand the use of technology in election management.
- Improve administrative efficiency.
- Enhance public confidence in electoral processes.
He noted that these innovations have the potential to deepen democratic governance if effectively implemented.
Legal Questions Remain
Despite welcoming many of the reforms, Abdulfatai acknowledged that the amended Electoral Act also raises important legal and constitutional questions.
Among the issues highlighted were:
Campaign Finance Enforcement
Experts continue to debate whether campaign spending limits can be effectively monitored and enforced.
Constitutional Compatibility
Some provisions may eventually require judicial interpretation to determine whether they fully align with constitutional guarantees.
Internal Party Affairs
Questions remain over provisions limiting judicial intervention in certain intra-party disputes.
Election Petition Standards
Legal practitioners are also examining whether changes affecting election petitions could influence post-election litigation.
According to Abdulfatai, the practical success of the reforms will depend largely on institutional capacity, judicial interpretation and faithful implementation by all stakeholders.
Technology Continues to Shape Nigeria’s Elections
Nigeria has increasingly relied on technology to improve electoral integrity through innovations such as:
- Biometric voter accreditation.
- Electronic verification of voter identity.
- Digital transmission of election data in approved circumstances.
- Improved voter register management.
Election experts believe these reforms have significantly reduced some traditional forms of electoral fraud, although concerns remain regarding logistics, cybersecurity, operational consistency and public trust.
Can Electoral Reforms Restore Public Confidence?
Public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process has fluctuated over the years due to allegations of vote-buying, logistical failures, violence and prolonged litigation.
Political analysts argue that legal reforms alone may not be sufficient.
They contend that credible elections will require:
- Strict enforcement of electoral laws.
- Professional conduct by election officials.
- Improved voter education.
- Independent security operations.
- Timely prosecution of electoral offenders.
- Greater political commitment to democratic principles.
Ultimately, they say, the legitimacy of the 2027 elections will depend on both institutional preparedness and public confidence.
INEC’s assurance that stockpiling Permanent Voter Cards can no longer influence election outcomes reflects the commission’s confidence in technological safeguards introduced into Nigeria’s electoral system. However, the commission’s acknowledgment that vote-buying has emerged as a more persistent threat illustrates that the battle for electoral credibility is evolving rather than disappearing.
As the implementation of the amended Electoral Act 2026 begins, Nigeria’s democratic institutions face a crucial test. Whether the reforms translate into genuinely free, fair and credible elections in 2027 will depend not only on technology and legislation but also on political will, institutional integrity, effective law enforcement and the commitment of voters themselves to protect the sanctity of the ballot.
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