When Professor Mahmud Yakubu was named the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in October 2015, he pledged to reform the commission and introduce necessary changes that would help strengthen the country's electoral process.
In demonstrating his commitment, he consistently urged legislators to make timely interventions ahead of each election cycle. For instance, in 2019, while presenting Certificates of Return to newly elected lawmakers, the outgoing INEC chairman handed what seemed like a tall order to the lawmakers, as he charged them to come up with a new Electoral Act that would improve subsequent elections.
"There is a lot of work; but very little time available. As a process govern by law, the success of election in Nigeria depends to a large extent on the electoral legal framework and most importantly in ensuring adherence to the law.
"I want to assure you that we will continue to work with the National Assembly to review and strengthen our electoral law. But I want to appeal to the senators-elect to please start work early and conclude work on electoral framework in a good time well ahead of the 2023 general election," Yakubu said at the time.
He may have issued that charge to the lawmakers in view of the fact that one of the key preconditions for free, fair, and credible elections is a clear and unambiguous legal framework. According to experts, this is essential because elections thrive on a robust legal architecture built on the principles of inclusion, integrity, justice, and equity.
They further argued that a sound electoral legal framework not only defines political relationships but also provides the foundation for the exercise of citizens' franchise and establishes a conflict management system designed to safeguard the sanctity of the ballot, ensure an orderly process, and promote stakeholder participation. Where these elements are absent, the integrity of elections could be compromised, paving the way for political instability.
In what appeared to be a direct response to the INEC chairman's call, some significant reforms were introduced into the electoral process ahead of the 2023 general elections. The intervention birthed the new Electoral Act (2022). However, the late passage of such amendments has remained a recurring challenge.
Regardless, those who have followed the trajectory of Professor Yakubu, who made history as the first INEC chairman to serve two consecutive terms, believe that his uninterrupted decade-long tenure brought a measure of stability to the Commission, allowing for continuity in its policies and programmes.
For instance, he built an enduring institutional memory within the commission by commissioning policy papers, conducting reviews, and establishing Nigeria's first Election Museum to preserve the nation's democratic history. The outgoing INEC boss will be remembered as the first person to oversee the largest number of elections in Nigeria's history, including the 2019 and 2023 general elections, several by-elections, and three Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council elections.
Inclusivity as a Core Principle
In line with the principle of inclusivity in governance, which seeks to ensure that all members of society, especially those from marginalised groups, are actively involved in decision-making processes and have their needs addressed, INEC under Professor Yakubu established the Department of Gender and Inclusivity to give structure and voice to these groups. To this end, the Commission reserved quota slots for women in senior management positions, thereby breaking long-standing barriers. It also introduced assistive voting devices, ranging from Braille ballots to magnifying lenses to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind or disenfranchised. Furthermore, INEC created and implemented legal frameworks that enabled Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to vote, safeguarding citizens' rights even in times of crisis. The Commission went beyond policy by employing persons with disabilities within INEC itself, making inclusivity both real and visible.
Deepening Stakeholder Engagement
The success of any law or policy largely depends on robust public communication and engagement. With this understanding, INEC under its outgoing chairman institutionalised quarterly consultations with political parties, civil society organisations, security agencies, and the media. The Commission also introduced a Code of Conduct for security personnel on election duty to promote professionalism in the field. It strengthened partnerships with traditional rulers, faith leaders, and the National Peace Committee -- embedding peacebuilding into the electoral process. Additionally, INEC enhanced its communication strategies through INEC News Online, regular press briefings, and expansive voter education campaigns that sought to deepen public understanding and trust in the electoral process.
Electoral Diplomacy and Regional Leadership
To demonstrate leadership within the region, INEC under Professor Yakubu revived and presided over the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC), positioning Nigeria as a hub of electoral thought leadership. Through ECONEC, INEC led solidarity and peer-learning missions across West Africa, providing technical, material, and moral support to sister electoral bodies. This particular regional intervention did not go unnoticed as the INEC boss was honoured by Liberia's National Electoral Commission in 2023, for his outstanding contribution to electoral development, just as he represented Nigeria at global forums from Washington to Berlin, London to Nairobi, amplifying Nigeria's democratic profile worldwide.
Strengthening Electoral Administration
As part of efforts to strengthen electoral administration, INEC during Professor Yakubu's tenure regularised election dates, thereby creating certainty and predictability for citizens, political parties, and observers. The Commission also expanded polling units for the first time in 25 years -- from 119,974 to 176,846, thus widening voter access and reducing congestion. It modernised election infrastructure, constructed State Collation Centres across the country, and commenced work on a new INEC Headquarters in Abuja. Additionally, the introduction of the Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC), a sophisticated data-driven hub tracking over 1,000 indicators, enhanced planning, coordination, and real-time monitoring of electoral operations.
Technological Breakthroughs
Recognising the transformative power of technology in improving efficiency and transparency, INEC introduced the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to replace the flawed manual accreditation process with fingerprint and facial recognition. It also launched the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which allows Nigerians to view polling unit results in real time, thereby strengthening transparency and public trust. INEC further revolutionised voter registration through the Integrated Voter Enrollment Device (IVED) and the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), which eliminated over 2.7 million fraudulent registrations. It also launched digital portals for candidate nomination, party agent registration, observer accreditation, and media access, streamlining administrative processes and promoting accountability.
Notably, INEC became the first election management body in Africa to establish an Artificial Intelligence Division, signalling a bold embrace of innovation and the future of election management.
Expanding the Voter Roll
In line with its vision of deepening democratic participation, INEC institutionalised Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in 2017, providing citizens with year-round opportunities to register to vote. Through this initiative, the Commission added over 23 million new voters across two general election cycles. It also introduced online pre-registration portals, enabling citizens to easily transfer, update, or replace their voter cards. Furthermore, INEC began publishing detailed voter demographics, including age, gender, occupation, and disability status, thereby setting a new benchmark for transparency and data-driven electoral planning.
Legal and Regulatory Reforms
INEC, during the period under review, partnered with the National Assembly to birth the landmark Electoral Act 2022, heralding electronic transmission of results and stricter party regulations; produced comprehensive guidelines and manuals, giving consistency to the conduct of elections; and the deregistration of 74 underperforming political parties, thereby streamlining Nigeria's political space from 92 to 18 active platforms.
Recognising the vital role of staff welfare in achieving institutional excellence, Professor Yakubu prioritised improving the working conditions of INEC personnel. The Commission introduced hazard allowances, bonuses, medical aid, and funeral grants to support staff welfare. It also instituted Long Service Awards and Staff Recognition Nights to celebrate dedication and hard work. In a bid to support nursing mothers and promote a family-friendly workplace, INEC established a modern Creche within its headquarters, a move that reflected the Commission's commitment to inclusivity and staff well-being.
Exit plan
In April this year, the INEC boss hinted at his departure from the country's Electoral Management Body (EMB), while speaking in Banjul, Gambia, where he had gone to attend the Extraordinary General Assembly of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC).
He had told his colleagues at the gathering that he was attending the ECONEC meeting for the final time as Chairman of INEC, as his tenure ends later this year. He thanked them for their unwavering support and collaboration over the years, urging them to continue to uphold the values of electoral integrity and regional unity. He also called for stronger ties and deeper collaboration among EMBs in the West African sub-region, insisting that closer cooperation is key to deepening democratic governance across the region.
Professor Yakubu, who previously served as President of the ECONEC Steering Committee, equally expressed gratitude for the support he received during his tenure, just as he also took a moment to honour past members of the Network who contributed to strengthening democratic institutions not just in their home countries but across Africa.
He praised the current leadership for their commitment and dedication to keeping the Network active and relevant. Interestingly, several EMB heads also echoed the call for deeper regional collaboration.
In their individual remarks, they applauded ECONEC for its continued technical support to their respective countries and its vital role in sustaining democratic governance across West Africa.
Daily Sun recalls that the Extraordinary General Assembly brought together the chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of the EMBs from the Republic of Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
Last line
Despite Professor Yakubu's notable reforms, his tenure at INEC was not without controversy. The 2023 general elections, in particular, drew widespread criticism over delayed result transmission, technical glitches with the BVAS, and perceived lapses in transparency during result collation. INEC also faced persistent logistical setbacks, such as late deployment of materials and last-minute postponements. These challenges, critics argued, undermined public confidence in the Commission's capacity to deliver credible elections.
Beyond operational issues, INEC under Yakubu was also faulted for weak enforcement of campaign finance laws, inconsistency in the application of electoral rules, and limited oversight of internal party democracy.
While opinions may be divided over Professor Yakubu's 10-year tenure at INEC, what remains indisputable is that some of the most transformative reforms in Nigeria's electoral process that have deepened the country's democratic experience, occurred under his leadership over the past decade. Even critics acknowledge that his tenure marked a turning point in institutional modernisation, with some technological and structural reforms that have reshaped Nigeria's electoral landscape.