YIAGA Africa Demands Overhaul of Voter System, Calls for End to ‘No PVC, No Vote’ Policy

 Leading election monitoring group, YIAGA Africa, has called for an urgent reform of Nigeria’s voting system, insisting that the ‘No Permanent Voter Card (PVC), No Vote’ policy must be abolished.

According to the group, the current system disenfranchises millions of eligible voters due to challenges in voter registration, PVC collection, and electoral logistics. The organization argues that advanced technology should be introduced to enable seamless voter verification and participation, rather than relying solely on physical PVCs.

Speaking at a press conference, YIAGA Africa’s Executive Director, Samson Itodo, emphasized that democracy thrives when every eligible citizen has access to voting without unnecessary restrictions.

“There are better ways to verify voters without putting unnecessary obstacles in their way. If we are serious about credible elections, we must make it easier for Nigerians to exercise their civic rights,” Itodo said.

The call for electoral reform has been gaining traction, with many civil society groups and political analysts backing the need for a modernized and inclusive voting system ahead of future elections.