By Janet Samuel
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has declared that the Commission has fulfilled its mandate on key post-election reforms following the 2023 general elections and is now awaiting legislative action on recommendations that require amendments to existing laws.
He made the remarks while receiving a high-level delegation from the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) during a post-election follow-up and needs assessment mission held at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
Yakubu revealed that of the 37 recommendations made by the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (EOM), 13 were directed at INEC, all of which the Commission has addressed through administrative action or submitted for legislative consideration.
“We have taken action on every recommendation that falls within our administrative jurisdiction. Where legal amendments are required, we have submitted proposals and await the intervention of the National Assembly,” Yakubu said.
He explained that INEC’s detailed response to the ECOWAS recommendations is already incorporated into its 142-point electoral reform agenda, developed through extensive stakeholder consultations and now available on the Commission’s website. Hard copies of the report and related documents were also shared with the ECONEC delegation.
The INEC Chairman emphasized that electoral reform is a shared responsibility and commended ECOWAS for recognizing the multi-stakeholder nature of credible elections. He also lauded the presence and support of international experts from EISA, International IDEA, GIZ, and the ECONEC Secretariat, noting their valuable contributions to electoral development in the region.
In her response, Head of the ECONEC delegation and Chairperson of Liberia’s National Elections Commission, Mrs. Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, praised INEC for its openness and progress on the post-election reform process.
“We came to assess how INEC has responded to the recommendations we made during the 2023 elections. But more importantly, we are here to learn,” she said. “The challenges one commission faces are often shared across the region, and the solutions INEC has found can help strengthen our own institutions.”
She also expressed deep gratitude to INEC for its material and technical support to the Liberian electoral body, particularly in helping establish an ICT center, crediting Nigeria’s generosity and ECONEC’s solidarity for the achievement.
“I get emotional when I speak of this support,” she said. “When we needed help, INEC and ECONEC stood by us. We appreciate you, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, your Commissioners, and your team for your dedication to regional electoral development.”32.1
The ECONEC mission includes electoral officials from Ghana, the ECOWAS Commission, and technical experts from partner organizations. Their visit forms part of a regional initiative to monitor progress on election observation recommendations, promote transparency, and foster mutual learning am11 w 5ong West African electoral bodies.
