INEC Proposes Diaspora Voting to Break Distance Barriers and Secure Voting Rights

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has proposed the introduction of diaspora voting to eliminate distance barriers and uphold citizens’ voting rights.

Yakubu made this announcement on Thursday during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja.

The initiative is part of the 142 recommendations aimed at addressing electoral misconduct and bad practices, which will be presented to relevant committees in the Senate and House of Representatives.

According to Yakubu, “Out of the 142 recommendations, 86 require administrative action by the commission. It is therefore pertinent that we engage first with our Resident Electoral Commissioners because of your frontline role in the implementation of the recommendations.”

He continued, “On the legal review, there are eight recommendations that require legislative action by the National Assembly. Very soon, the commission will make a presentation to the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Electoral Matters as they continue to deliberate on electoral reform.”

The INEC chair added that the new proposals aim to phase out the use of Permanent Voter Cards during elections, reduce voting costs, and eliminate voter card-buying, thereby ensuring free and fair elections.

He explained, “Among the major highlights of the commission’s recommendations is the imperative of legal clarity in result management, with regard to manual transfer versus the electronic transmission of results.”

“This will not only save costs but also eliminate issues around the collection of PVCs and the diabolical practice of buying up the cards from voters in order to disenfranchise them,” Yakubu added.

Investors King gathered that a key aspect of the proposed reforms is the emphasis on legal clarity regarding result transmission to ensure free and fair elections.

This shift comes as the use of Permanent Voter Cards over the years has proven insufficient in curbing election rigging.