INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has confirmed that Nigerians may soon be able to vote from anywhere in the country, a shift from the current system requiring voters to cast ballots at their registered locations.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) management on September 3, 2025, Yakubu revealed that INEC is collaborating with NIMC to develop a common database, potentially allowing future elections to leverage a citizenship register for flexible voting.
This long-term goal aims to enhance voter access, with NIMC officials already supporting the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by deploying staff to INEC centers, though no specific timeline for implementation has been set.
The proposal has sparked interest as it could address logistical challenges faced by millions, especially in urban areas or during emergencies, but it also raises questions about security and verification processes. Yakubu emphasized the need to deepen this partnership, suggesting that integrating NIN data might enable such reforms, a move that aligns with global practices. However, concerns about potential misuse linger.
