2027: Politicians stockpiling PVCs are wasting their time — INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned politicians stockpiling Permanent Voter Cards that the tactic will not help them manipulate the 2027 general elections.

INEC said safeguards introduced into the electoral process had made it impossible for anyone to vote with another person’s PVC, forcing desperate politicians to turn their attention to vote-buying.

The Head of Voter Education and Publicity at INEC in Kwara State, Dr Adejumo Peter, disclosed this on Thursday during a seminar organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Ilorin.

“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,” Peter said.

“Many politicians are still living in the past. Stockpiling and carting away PVCs can no longer guarantee electoral victory.”

He assured Nigerians that INEC would conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2027, insisting that every valid vote would count and the results would reflect the wishes of the electorate.

Peter said INEC officials in Kwara State would strictly follow the Electoral Act and the commission’s guidelines throughout the elections.

“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.

The INEC official urged politicians to campaign on issues and their manifestos rather than resort to violence, intimidation or other actions capable of disrupting the electoral process.

“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.