By Abimbola Aladejare-Salako, SouthWest Coordinator, Youth Electoral Reform Project (YERP-Naija)
Thousands of Nigerians, particularly young people, persons with disabilities (PWDs), civil society organizations, and democracy advocates, have long argued that citizens should not lose their right to vote simply because a Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) is lost, damaged, destroyed or inaccessible.
The introduction of the downloadable PVC in the Electoral Act 2026 was therefore a significant victory for electoral inclusion and one of the most citizen-centered reforms in Nigeria’s recent electoral history.
The 2026 Electoral Act introduced the concept of a downloadable PVC in February 2026, which INEC has now incorporated into its Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2026.
For young voters who move frequently for education, employment, or national service, and for persons with disabilities who often face additional barriers in accessing electoral services, this reform has the potential to remove a longstanding obstacle to participation.
It signals a shift away from viewing the physical PVC as the sole gateway to voting and toward a system where voter registration and biometric verification through Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) remain the ultimate basis for electoral participation.
At a welcome ceremony for the INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, at the Commission’s Headquarters in Ekiti State on May 20, the INEC Chairman confirmed that voters who request downloadable PVCs will be eligible to participate in the upcoming gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun States, and the 2027 general elections, using this new provision provided they write to the INEC ahead of time.
However, with less than ten (10) days to the conduct of Ekiti gubernatorial elections, INEC has not issued clear documentation to inform eligible voters and citizens on how eligible voters can access, download, print or use this downloadable PVCs.
If not addressed, voters may not be able to use downloadable PVCs during the 2026 off-cycle gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun states, and the 2027 general elections.
Furthermore, the lack of information on how downloadable PVCs will be used during the upcoming Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections, combined with the absence of clear guidance from INEC, may create confusion amongst voters and citizens who rely on downloadable PVC to vote on election day.
As the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise for the 2027 general election approaches its July 30 end date, and this year’s off-cycle gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun states edge closer, it has become more urgent for INEC to come up with a practical guide on how voters can download, print and use downloadable PVCs.
A reform that is intended to expand voter access, reduce disenfranchisement and increase participation among young people, women and PWDs may fail to deliver during critical 2026 and 2027 processes.
While INEC deserves credit for the downloadable PVCs innovation, citizens, especially youth, will be very disappointed if it is not fully operationalized during scheduled elections in 2026 and 2027.
What 2026 Electoral Act Says
In introducing downloadable PVCs for the first time in Nigeria electoral history, section Section 18(1) of the 2026 Electoral Act states that “Provided that nothing in this section shall prevent the owner of such card from printing a downloadable copy.”
While legal analysts continue to debate the precise meaning of this provision, INEC itself has moved beyond ambiguity. The Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2026 repeatedly recognize both the physical PVC and a downloadable copy as acceptable credentials for voter accreditation.
Under Clause 5(iv), a person is eligible to vote if he or she presents: “a valid Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC)/a downloadable copy.”
The same language appears throughout the accreditation and voting procedures. Election officials are instructed to check a voter’s “PVC/downloadable copy” before proceeding with BVAS authentication.
In other words, INEC has already operationalized the downloadable PVC within its electoral framework.
The question is no longer whether INEC intends to recognize downloadable copies. The question is whether citizens know how to obtain them.
There is currently no known website or app where downloadable PVCs can be downloaded.
Recommendations
I make the following specific recommendations for Nigerians and INEC:
Eligible Voters For 2027 General Elections
For the 2027 general elections, citizens, particularly young people who have lost, destroyed, defaced, torn, or otherwise damaged their voter’s cards, should approach INEC at least 90 days before polling day.
They must apply in person to the electoral officer or any other officer duly authorized by the Resident Electoral Commissioner. In this application, individuals should clearly state the circumstances surrounding the loss, destruction, defacement, or damage of their PVC.
This proactive step will ensure they can secure a downloadable PVC in time for the elections, allowing them to participate fully in the 2027 general elections.
INEC
We make the following specific recommendations:
- INEC should move quickly to provide additional information addressing at least five key areas:
- First, eligibility; INEC should clearly define who can access a downloadable PVC and under what circumstances.
- Second, access: The Commission should establish and publicize a secure portal through which eligible voters can obtain a copy of their downloadable PVC.
- Third, security: Citizens need assurance that downloadable PVCs contain verifiable security features that prevent forgery or abuse.
- Fourth, verification; INEC should clearly explain how election officials will validate downloadable PVCs during accreditation.
- Fifth, voter education: A nationwide communication voter education campaign should accompany any rollout.
Conclusion
The debate over downloadable PVCs is ultimately not about technology; it is about whether Nigeria is ready to remove unnecessary barriers between citizens and their constitutional right to vote.
Timely and easy access to downloadable PVCs is essential to strengthening citizen participation, a core pillar of democracy.
With the 2026 off-cycle gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun states approaching, and the 2027 general election drawing closer, INEC must act now.