Prof Mahmood Yakubu: The man who boosted INEC with technology, others
By JOHN ONAH, Abuja –
Professor Mahmood Yakubu is indeed the man who stepped up the technology game at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria.
As the chairman of INEC, he introduced several innovative technologies to improve the electoral process, including the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, which enables real-time viewing of polling unit results .
This move increased transparency and reduced the manipulation of election results.
Some of his notable technological advancements include:
Automating Critical Pillars: Yakubu automated critical aspects of the electoral process, such as the continuous updating of the biometric register of voters and the use of the Smart Card Reader (SCR) for voter accreditation .
Virtual Portals: He introduced virtual portals for seamless nomination of candidates, accreditation of observers, and media coverage among others.
These technological advancements have earned Professor Yakubu recognition and goodwill from various stakeholders, including political parties and civil society organizations .
His efforts aim to ensure the credibility and transparency of Nigeria’s electoral process.
Professor Mahmood Yakubu was appointed to the position in October 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Yakubu has a long and distinguished career. He has conducted extensive research on political parties, electoral politics, and local government administration in Nigeria.
Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s technology initiatives have significantly improved Nigeria’s electoral process. Under his watch, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has introduced several innovations that have enhanced the credibility and transparency of elections.
Key Technological Advancements:
INEC Result Viewing (IReV) Porta: Allows real-time viewing of polling unit results, reducing the risk of result manipulation
Continuous updating of the biometric register of voters and the use of Smart Card Readers for voter accreditation .
Virtual Portal: Facilitate seamless nomination of candidates, accreditation of observers, and media coverage
These technological advancements have increased confidence in INEC and improved the electoral process. Stakeholders, including political parties and civil society organizations, have praised Yakubu’s efforts, acknowledging the positive impact on Nigeria’s democracy
INEC has received praises from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for its efforts in promoting transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral process. Specifically, CSOs have commended INEC’s introduction of technology, such as the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, which enables real-time viewing of polling unit results, thereby reducing the risk of result manipulation ¹.
Key Areas of Praise:
Improved Transparency: CSOs have praised INEC’s commitment to transparency, particularly in the deployment of technology to enhance the electoral process.
Enhanced Accountability_: The use of the IReV portal has been lauded for promoting accountability and reducing the likelihood of electoral malpractices.
Increased Stakeholder Engagement: INEC’s regular consultative meetings with CSOs and other stakeholders have been commended for fostering collaboration and trust.
Yakubu, has been instrumental in driving these initiatives, engaging with CSOs and other stakeholders to ensure the integrity of the electoral process . Overall, his efforts have contributed to building confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
INEC has been working to eliminate vote buying in Nigeria through various efforts. One key challenge they face is the lack of capacity and expertise to tackle electoral offenses, including vote buying .
To address this, INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu has called for the establishment of an electoral offenses commission to collaborate with INEC in checking electoral fraud and related crimes .
Some of INEC’s efforts to prevent vote buying include:
Collaboration with Anti-Graft Agencies: INEC works with agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to prevent vote buying .
Security Measures: INEC collaborates with security agencies to discourage vote buying at polling units .
Prosecution of Electoral Offenders: INEC has successfully prosecuted many electoral offenders in recent years .
Voter Education: INEC educates voters on the negative consequences of vote buying and the importance of voting based on their conscience .
Despite these efforts, vote buying remains a significant challenge in Nigerian elections. INEC’s Chairman has emphasized the need for stakeholders, including political parties and voters, to work together to eliminate vote buying and ensure free and fair elections .