National Assembly moves to make using PVC in election optional
As part of amendment of the Electoral Act, lawmakers are proposing to make the use of Permanent Voter Card optional during elections.
The Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters, during a joint hearing on Monday, unveiled the the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, containing the proposal to make the use of PVC for voting optional.
“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 proposal seeking to ammend Sections 18 and 47 of the 2022 Electoral Act stated. “Every registered voter will be able to download and print their voter’s card whenever needed. This totally eradicates the issue of buying and selling PVCs, likewise all related offences. This is reflected in section 18, section 47 and the deletion of section 22.”
The proposed amendment also suggest that eligible voters will be able to cast their votes using other alternative means of identification including, national passport, National Identification Number and birth certificate.
“Acceptable means of identification for voter registration have been limited to the National Identification Number (NIN), a Nigerian birth certificate, or Nigerian passport,” the proposal noted.
The proposed amendment also seeks to mandate conclusion of all election litigation before the May 29, 2027, handover date.
“The above provisions are to ensure that all litigations are concluded before swearing in,” the proposed amendment stated.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
NationWide
Fugitive kingpin Ntoruka Chinedu, ex-footballer Hunkarin George bag 24-year jail term for drug trafficking
They were convicted by a Federal High Court in Lagos for importing 7.050 kg of cocaine into Nigeria.
States
Bayelsa APC chieftain, supporters defect to PDP
The defectors were formally received on Monday at a ceremony attended by PDP leaders at the local and state levels in Ogbia.
World
Uganda gives preliminary approval on peacekeeping in Gaza
Mr Magezi said the military awaits formal strategic directives from the presidency before taking action.
Africa
Ebola Outbreak: Death toll rises to 1,405 in DR Congo as vaccine trials begin
The health ministry said the number of infections since the outbreak was declared in mid-May had risen to 3,200.
States
Osun Election: Gov. Adeleke declares Tuesday work-free day for PVC collection
Mr Adeleke said the work-free day was approved to enable public servants to prepare ahead of the August 15 governorship election and future polls in the state.
![Vessels along Strait of Hormuz (Photo credit: Benoit Tessier/File Photo/Reuters]](https://gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/cxk79fQB.jpg)
World
Global oil prices fall as Iran, U.S. pause strikes
Brent, the global benchmark for oil prices, fell 7.6 per cent to around $89.43 per barrel, while the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropped 6.7 per cent to $83.37 per barrel.
