POLITICIANS HOARDING PVCS CAN’T RIG ELECTIONS ANYMORE, INEC DECLARES
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By; Aina Daniel
The Independent National Electoral Commission has assured Nigerians that the 2027 general elections will be free, fair and credible, stressing that every valid vote will count and determine the outcome of the polls.
The commission also dismissed the belief that politicians could manipulate elections by stockpiling Permanent Voter Cards, saying technological improvements in the electoral process have rendered such tactics ineffective.
Speaking on Thursday at a seminar organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Ilorin, the Head of Voter Education and Publicity for INEC in Kwara State, Dr Adejumo Peter, said politicians relying on PVC hoarding were “living in the past.”
“INEC has introduced measures that make it impossible for anyone to use another person’s PVC to vote. That is why politicians have shifted their focus to vote-buying,” he said.
“Many politicians are still living in the past. Stockpiling and carting away PVCs can no longer guarantee electoral victory.”
Peter assured residents of Kwara State that the commission would strictly comply with the Electoral Act and its operational guidelines throughout the electoral process.
“INEC in Kwara will follow the rules and procedures laid down by the commission. We will ensure that the elections are conducted on the basis of one person, one vote. At the end of the exercise, the outcome will reflect the will of the people,” he said.
He also urged political parties and their candidates to conduct issue-based campaigns and avoid violence before, during and after the elections.
“I urge politicians to play by the rules. They should campaign on their manifestos and shun violence before, during and after the elections. Let us conduct the elections peacefully like a sporting contest. They should accept the outcome of the elections,” he added.
Delivering a presentation on “Dissecting the Amended Electoral Act 2026: Innovations and Implications for Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections,” the Head of INEC’s Legal Unit in Kwara State, Abdulfatai Atata, described the amended law as a major step forward in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
According to him, the legislation introduces reforms designed to improve transparency, strengthen internal party democracy and expand the use of technology in elections.
He, however, noted that the amended Act also raises important legal and practical issues, including constitutional consistency, enforcement of campaign finance regulations, judicial oversight of party affairs and the grounds for election petitions.
“At the end of the day, the success of these reforms will depend not only on the provisions of the law but also on effective implementation, strong institutions and sound judicial interpretation,” Atata said.
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