ECONEC has played a significant role in improving the electoral landscape in West Africa by promoting best practices and encouraging mutual support among EMBs, which has helped to build trust in electoral systems across the region. Photo: INEC
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, is seeking stronger cooperation and deeper collaboration among Election Management Bodies (EMBs) within the West African sub-region.
Professor Yakubu made the appeal in Banjul, the capital of the Republic of The Gambia, while attending the Extraordinary General Assembly of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC).
In his remarks, Professor Yakubu highlighted key items on the meeting’s agenda, including the review and adoption of a revised draft of the ECONEC statutes.
He also emphasised a landmark proposal under discussion — the establishment of Africa’s first-ever electoral resource-sharing database.
This initiative, according to him, aims to enhance collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity-building among EMBs across the continent.
Reflecting on his time as a former president of the ECONEC Steering Committee, Professor Yakubu expressed appreciation for the support he received during his tenure and commended the current leadership for their dedication to keeping ECONEC vibrant and relevant in promoting democratic values.
Notably, he informed the Assembly that this would be his final ECONEC meeting as INEC Chairman, with his tenure coming to an end later this year.
In their contributions, heads of various EMBs lauded ECONEC for its consistent technical support and its crucial role in strengthening democratic governance throughout West Africa.
While in Banjul, Professor Yakubu is also scheduled to accompany the current ECONEC President, Konneh Mohamed Kenewui of Sierra Leone, on a series of engagements with key stakeholders, including officials of the Gambian government.
These visits form part of ECONEC’s needs assessment mission ahead of The Gambia’s upcoming presidential election.
The ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) is a regional platform that brings together the Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) of member states within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Its primary objective is to promote credible, transparent, and peaceful elections in West Africa by fostering collaboration, experience sharing, and peer support among the electoral commissions of the region.
