By Lateef Ibrahim
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called for stronger ties among Election Management Bodies (EMBs) in the West African sub-region.
The call was made by the its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, adding that working more closely is key to deepening democratic governance across the region.
Prof. Yakubu made this call in Banjul, capital of the Republic of Gambia, where he is attending the Extraordinary General Assembly of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC).
Prof. Yakubu, who previously served as president of the ECONEC Steering Committee, expressed gratitude for the support he received during his tenure.
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.
Looking back on ECONEC’s 2017 meeting in Sierra Leone, Prof. Yakubu recalled how he had proudly announced that every country in the sub-region was under democratic rule, but he said that sadly, he observed, that it was no longer the case.
He regretted that four countries in the sub region are no longer practicing democracy.
He expressed the hope that democracy would soon return to the affected nations.
He also informed the Assembly that he was attending the ECONEC meeting for the final time as Chairman of INEC, as his tenure ends later this year.
He thanked his colleagues and the Network as a whole for their unwavering support and collaboration over the years, urging them to continue upholding the values of electoral integrity and regional unity.
Several EMB heads also added their voices to 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.
The Extraordinary General Assembly drew 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.
While in Banjul, Prof. Yakubu is also scheduled to join the current ECONEC President, Mr. Konneh Mohamed Kenewui of Sierra Leone, for a series of visits to key stakeholders, including the government of The Gambia as part of ECONEC’s Needs Assessment Mission ahead of the country’s presidential election in 2026.
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