The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has said that Nigeria’s electoral process has significantly improved since the 2023 general elections.
Speaking on Monday, January 28, 2025, while hosting the new European Union,EU, Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja, Prof. Yakubu highlighted reforms introduced by the Commission.
He noted that improvements were made based on internal reviews and recommendations from election observers, including the EU Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM). “There has been tremendous improvement in the functionality of the BVAS for voter accreditation using fingerprint or facial authentication,” he said.
The INEC Chairman also emphasized that the faster upload of election results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) has enhanced transparency in the electoral process. Citing the Ondo State Governorship election, he revealed that 80% of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were collected by voters, showcasing better logistics and coordination.
Prof. Yakubu commended the EU for its support through the EU-Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) initiative, which funds political parties, civil society groups, and the media. However, he clarified, “INEC does not directly receive donor funds. Support is limited to consultancy, technical services, and capacity building for staff.”
He stressed that sustaining democratic progress requires collaboration with stakeholders, adding, “Election is a multi-stakeholder responsibility.” He also mentioned that discussions are ongoing with lawmakers to review Nigeria’s electoral laws.
In his remarks, Ambassador Gautier Mignot praised Nigeria’s adoption of technologies like BVAS and IReV, describing them as innovations that enhance electoral credibility. He said the EU remains a neutral partner in Nigeria’s democracy, adding, “The EU is committed to supporting Nigeria’s democratic journey without imposing ideas but sharing experiences.”
The meeting highlighted the collective commitment to improving Nigeria’s elections and strengthening its democratic institutions.
