07/05/2026
๐ข๐ฃ๐๐ก๐๐ข๐ก: ๐ช๐ต๐ ๐ก๐ถ๐ด๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฎ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ช๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ก๐๐ก ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฉ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด
By Abdulmumeen Zubair
In a country that prides itself as Africaโs largest democracy, it is ironic that millions of Nigerians still struggle to perform the most basic democratic responsibility of voting. Every election period in Nigeria comes with the same frustrations of endless queues at INEC offices, delayed registrations, unavailable Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and millions of citizens denied the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote.
Rather than strengthening democracy, the current voting system continues to discourage participation and deepen public distrust in the electoral process.
For years, Nigerians across the federation, particularly during general and presidential elections, have faced numerous challenges associated with voter registration and PVC collection. The inefficiency and inconsistency of services provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have made what should be a simple civic responsibility unnecessarily difficult.
It has now become a routine for citizens to spend several hours, and sometimes days, trying to register or correct their details at INEC offices. Students studying outside their home states, workers posted away from their registered locations, and travellers who are unable to return home during elections are often disenfranchised simply because the system is rigid and outdated.
What makes the situation more troubling is that many patriotic Nigerians who desire credible leadership and legitimate governance are repeatedly frustrated by the process. Some succeed in registering while others do not. Among those who register successfully, many still struggle to collect their PVCs before election day. In the end, countless citizens are denied participation in deciding the future of their country.
The consequences of this dysfunction is glaring. According to reports from the 2023 general elections, about 93.47 million Nigerians registered to vote, yet only 24.9 million eventually cast their ballots. This represented a mere 26.72 percent voter turnout; the lowest since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999.
Statistics further show that voter turnout has steadily declined since the 2003 general elections, which recorded one of the highest levels of electoral participation in Nigeriaโs democratic history. Since then, public enthusiasm for elections has continued to weaken.
One major reason for this decline is the growing loss of confidence in INEC and the electoral process itself. Many Nigerians no longer see the value in wasting time at registration centres only to face disappointment at the end. This frustration has fueled political apathy, especially among young people who believe that the system is designed to exclude rather than include them.
Nigeria must therefore begin to rethink its voting system. Instead of relying heavily on PVCs, the country should consider adopting the National Identification Number (NIN), managed by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), as a means of voter verification.
The NIN system already serves as a centralized identity framework for millions of Nigerians. Unlike PVCs, it is not tied to a particular polling location or local government area. This means that eligible citizens who are outside their registered states or localities during elections could still exercise their voting rights from wherever they are in the country.
Under such a system, voters would simply present their NIN at polling units, where INEC officials could verify their eligibility electronically. For this to work effectively, however, the Federal Government must provide adequate verification devices and digital infrastructure to support seamless accreditation nationwide.
The logic behind this proposal is that NIN already links personal records and serves as an official means of identity verification for citizens and legal residents. Since every Nigerian is eligible to enroll for NIN from birth, the system is potentially more inclusive, accessible, and efficient than the current PVC-based structure.
Adopting NIN for elections could significantly reduce voter disenfranchisement, improve participation, and restore confidence in Nigeriaโs democracy. More importantly, it would help ensure that legitimate governance truly reflects the will of the people.
A democracy that makes voting difficult for its citizens ultimately weakens its own legitimacy. If Nigeria is serious about strengthening democratic participation and building public trust in elections, then meaningful electoral reform of this nature can no longer be postponed.