Senate Rejects 10-Year Jail Term for PVC Trading, Raises Fine to ₦5m

 

The Nigerian Senate has turned down a proposal seeking to impose a 10-year prison sentence on individuals involved in the buying or selling of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), choosing instead to retain the existing two-year jail term.

However, lawmakers approved a stricter financial penalty by increasing the fine from ₦2 million to ₦5 million under Clause 22 of the Electoral Amendment Bill. The decision followed deliberations on how best to curb electoral malpractice while maintaining proportional punishment.

The amendment is part of broader legislative efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process and discourage voter inducement and illegal handling of PVCs. By raising the monetary penalty, the Senate aims to make the offence less attractive while avoiding what many considered an excessive prison sentence.

Lawmakers maintained that PVC trading undermines democracy, compromises election credibility, and weakens public trust in the electoral system. The revised penalty structure is expected to serve as a deterrent while ensuring the punishment remains balanced.

The bill will proceed through further legislative steps before final approval and implementation.