Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announced that the commission has developed 142 recommendations aimed at enhancing future electoral processes.
Yakubu made this declaration during the commencement of a two-day orientation retreat for Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Monday in Lagos. He disclosed that INEC has already published the findings from the review of the 2023 elections, which are now accessible on its website.
“In addition to this report, we are currently publishing outcomes from our retreats and engagements with stakeholders,” Yakubu stated. “The commission has formulated 142 recommendations focused on improving electoral procedures in Nigeria.”
“We will soon make the full report public and engage with Nigerians on these proposed reforms,” he added. “These recommendations cover a range of actions, with most falling under INEC’s administrative responsibilities, while others involve collaboration with security agencies, amendments to electoral laws by the National Assembly, and actions by political parties and other stakeholders.”
Yakubu emphasized the ongoing nature of elections in Nigeria, noting that INEC has conducted nine by-elections since the inauguration of the National and State Assemblies in 2023, with five more scheduled before the 2027 general elections. He also highlighted that the FCT area council elections are slated for 2026, indicating a continuous electoral cycle.
“As we innovate, reflect, review, and implement,” Yakubu remarked, “we remain committed to improving electoral integrity.”
Addressing challenges in Edo State, Yakubu mentioned a recent flood disaster that damaged over 4,000 Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines at an INEC office. Despite this setback, he noted that INEC has successfully recovered approximately 3,500 machines and is seeking additional support from neighboring states to ensure adequate coverage for upcoming elections in the state.
Yakubu urged participants at the retreat to focus on enhancing service delivery, emphasizing the importance of collaborative and solution-oriented discussions.
In his welcome address, Prof. Ayobami Salami, the INEC REC for Lagos State, underscored the significance and timeliness of the retreat, stating that it would contribute to improving electoral management nationwide and fostering innovative ideas.
