Liberia’s National Elections Commission (NEC) has lauded the efforts made by the Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, in deepening democracy in the West African country.
The comment was made by the Chairperson of NEC, Madam Davidetta Browne Lansanah, in Liberia’s capital Monrovia, on Friday, during the dedication of a workspace for staff, which Yakubu officiated.
In her address on the occasion, Lansanah acknowledged the pivotal technical support rendered by INEC and Yakubu in establishing the workspace and bolstering the electoral process in her country.
She emphasised NEC Liberia’s profound gratitude for the indispensable contributions made by Yakubu and INEC in sustaining Liberia’s democratic journey.
Recalling Yakubu’s role as President of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC), she highlighted his advocacy for resource-sharing among regional Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs).
Lansanah commended his influential efforts, which resulted in Liberia’s election as the First Vice President of ECONEC in 2021 and expressed gratitude for his steadfast backing of her commission in various regional endeavours.
In his response, Professor Yakubu expressed heartfelt appreciation to NEC-Liberia for the esteemed honour bestowed upon INEC in dedicating the workspace to staff.
He emphasised the value of this resource in enhancing the operational capabilities of staff, particularly through IT facilities.
Reflecting on past collaborations, Yakubu recalled his commission’s assistance during Liberia’s presidential election in 2017.
He highlighted the joint efforts of IT experts from INEC and NEC-Liberia in addressing stakeholders’ concerns regarding the voters’ register.
Yakubu also noted INEC’s technical support ahead of subsequent special elections, the 2020 referendum facilitated by ECOWAS, and the implementation of the biometric register in the recent general election.
Emphasising the significance of inter-EMB collaboration, Yakubu underscored the complexity of election management and urged prioritising peer support amid limited resources and escalating election costs.
The event witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia, Christine N. Umutoni; the Charge d’affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Liberia, Mr. Mannir Ibrahim; the representative of the Liberian Bar Association, alongside the Co-Chairperson, members of the Board of Commissioners, senior officials, and well-wishers of NEC Liberia.