INEC chairman urges collaboration among West Africa election bodies
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has called for greater collaboration among Election Management Bodies in West Africa to strengthen democratic governance in the region.
Yakubu spoke at the opening of the Extraordinary General Assembly of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions in Banjul, Gambia, according to a post via the commission’s X on Thursday.
According to the commission, Yakubu emphasised the importance of cooperation and shared learning among member countries to tackle common challenges and build institutional capacity.
A key highlight of the meeting was the review and expected adoption of revised ECONEC statutes. One of the major proposals on the table is the creation of Africa’s first electoral resource-sharing database, aimed at promoting innovation and mutual support across the continent.
Prof. Yakubu, a former president of ECONEC’s Steering Committee, used the occasion to thank fellow commissioners for their support during his tenure.
He also paid tribute to past members who contributed to the development of democratic institutions across Africa and commended the current leadership for keeping the Network active and impactful.
Reflecting on the state of democracy in the region, Yakubu recalled ECONEC’s 2017 meeting in Sierra Leone, where it was celebrated that all member states were under democratic rule.
He expressed regret that four countries in the region have since departed from that path, but expressed optimism about a democratic resurgence.
As his tenure as INEC Chairman draws to a close later this year, Yakubu noted that this would be his final participation in an ECONEC assembly in his current role.
The post read, “Looking back on ECONEC’s 2017 meeting in Sierra Leone, Prof. Yakubu recalled how he had proudly announced that every country in the sub-region was under democratic rule. Sadly, he observed, that was no longer the case.
“He regretted that today, four countries in the region are no longer practising democracy. Notwithstanding, Prof. Yakubu remains optimistic and expressed the hope that democracy will soon return to the affected nations.
“He also informed the Assembly that he was attending the ECONEC meeting for the final time as Chairman of INEC, because his tenure ends later this year. He thanked his colleagues and the Network as a whole for their unwavering support and collaboration over the years, urging them to continue upholding the values of electoral integrity and regional unity.”
Several other EMB leaders echoed the call for stronger cooperation, praising ECONEC’s role in providing technical assistance and promoting democratic governance across West Africa.
The Assembly brought together electoral commission heads and deputies from Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
During his stay in Banjul, Yakubu is also expected to join ECONEC President Konneh Kenewui of Sierra Leone in meeting with key stakeholders, including the Gambian government, as part of a Needs Assessment Mission ahead of the country’s 2026 presidential election.
