The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has revealed that the Commission has identified 142 recommendations to enhance Nigeria’s electoral process. Speaking during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja on Thursday, Yakubu outlined the broad areas of focus, including voter education, result management, and election security.
The recommendations stem from lessons learned during the 2023 General Election and are aimed at strengthening the country’s electoral framework. Of the 142 recommendations, 86 require administrative action by INEC, while 48 call for collaboration with key stakeholders such as security agencies, mobile network operators, political parties, civil society organizations, and the media. Eight recommendations will require legislative action by the National Assembly.
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Professor Yakubu emphasized the need to clarify the legal framework for result management, particularly concerning the use of manual transfer versus electronic transmission of results. He also proposed a significant shift in voter accreditation, suggesting that computer-generated slips or downloadable documents could replace Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for future elections. This innovation, he noted, would reduce costs and curb voter disenfranchisement caused by the illegal practice of buying PVCs.
Yakubu praised the Resident Electoral Commissioners for their frontline role in implementing these reforms, underscoring the importance of collaboration and meticulous planning in electoral operations. He stated that INEC would soon present its recommendations to the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Electoral Matters to drive necessary legislative changes.
