The National Elections Commission (NEC) of Liberia has recognised the chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, for the valuable technical support provided by INEC to NEC and for the promotion of democracy in Liberia.
The occasion also marked the dedication of a workspace for staff, officiated by Professor Yakubu, at the invitation of Madam Davidetta Browne Lansanah, chairperson of Liberia’s NEC.
Madam Lansanah, in her speech, expressed gratitude for the pivotal technical support extended by INEC Nigeria and Professor Yakubu in establishing the workspace and strengthening the electoral process in Liberia. She highlighted the profound contributions made by Professor Yakubu and Nigeria’s electoral commission to sustain Liberia’s democratic journey.
Acknowledging Professor Yakubu’s role as the President of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC), Madam Lansanah commended his advocacy for resource-sharing among regional Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs).
She praised his influential efforts, leading to Liberia’s election as the First Vice President of ECONEC in 2021, and thanked him for his unwavering support of NEC-Liberia in various regional initiatives.
In response, Professor Yakubu expressed sincere appreciation to NEC-Liberia for the honour bestowed upon INEC Nigeria through the dedication of the workspace for staff. He emphasized the value of this resource in enhancing the operational capabilities of staff, particularly through IT facilities.
Reflecting on past collaborations, Professor Yakubu recalled INEC’s assistance during Liberia’s 2017 Presidential election. He highlighted the joint efforts of IT experts from INEC and NEC-Liberia in addressing stakeholders’ concerns regarding the voters’ register. Additionally, he noted INEC’s technical support for subsequent special elections, the 2020 referendum facilitated by ECOWAS, and the implementation of the biometric register in the recent general election.
Underlining the importance of collaboration among Electoral Management Bodies, Professor Yakubu emphasized the complexity of election management and urged prioritizing peer support amid limited resources and escalating election costs.
The event was attended by distinguished dignitaries, including the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia, Christine N. Umutoni; Mr. Manir Ibrahim, Charge d’affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Liberia; 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.
