Janet Samuel, Abuja
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has said that the country’s electoral process has experienced noticeable improvement in elections conducted after the 2023 General Elections.
Prof. Yakubu made the remarks on the significant strides achieved while speaking during the courtesy visit of the new European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, and his team in Abuja on Monday.
Prof. Yakubu disclosed that INEC has implemented several reforms based on internal reviews and recommendations from electoral observers, including the EU Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM), in the 2023 general election, enumerating the Commission’s efforts to include better training for election staff, deployment of additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices, and improvements in voter registration and logistics management.
“There has been tremendous improvement in the functionality of the BVAS for voter accreditation using fingerprint or facial authentication,” Prof. Yakubu noted. Additionally, he praised the faster upload of election results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which has bolstered transparency.
The INEC Chairman cited the recent Ondo State Governorship election as an example of improved logistics and seamless voter card collection, stating that 80% of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were collected by eligible voters, demonstrating enhanced coordination.
Prof. Yakubu welcomed the EU’s ongoing support under the European Union-Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) initiative. This program funds various institutions involved in Nigeria’s democracy, including political parties, civil society organizations, and the media.
He however clarified that INEC does not directly receive donor funds, with international support limited to consultancy, technical services, capacity building for staff, and stakeholder engagement.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration with stakeholders to sustain Nigeria’s democratic progress. He said, “Election is a multi-stakeholder responsibility,” citing recent consultations with political parties, civil society, and security agencies. He also mentioned ongoing discussions with lawmakers to review Nigeria’s electoral legal framework.
The INEC Chairman reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to strengthening electoral operations and thanked the EU delegation for their commitment to democratic governance in Nigeria.
Earlier in his remarks, the new EU Ambassador, Gautier Mignot, highlighted the importance of combating disinformation and ensuring transparency within electoral processes. He underscored that democracy, while unique to each nation, thrives on shared experiences and mutual learning.
The Ambassador commended Nigeria’s progress in adopting innovative technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which serve as examples of how technology can enhance electoral credibility.
The Envoy stressed the European Union’s dedication to remaining a neutral partner in Nigeria’s democratic journey, emphasizing that the EU’s involvement is not about imposing ideas but about sharing experiences to strengthen democratic institutions.
