The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has praised Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, the immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for his significant contributions to reforming Nigeria's electoral system. Under his leadership, INEC introduced technology to enhance transparency and credibility in elections ¹ ² ³.
*Key Reforms and Achievements*
- *Continuous Voter Registration*: Institutionalized continuous voter registration, expanding stakeholder consultations and strengthening INEC's internal systems.
- *Technology Integration*: Introduced home-grown technologies, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV), to ensure electoral credibility.
- *Candidate Nomination*: Digitized candidate nomination, reducing pre-election litigations and ensuring only registered voters participate.
- *Voter Register Cleaning*: Cleaned the voter register using technology, eliminating multiple registrations.
*Impact and Legacy*
Prof. Mahmood's reforms have shifted INEC's mindset, treating technology as integral to electoral governance. His leadership has promoted transparency, discipline, and accountability in Nigeria's electoral process ¹ ² ³.
As Nigeria moves forward, IPAC urges the next INEC leadership to build on Prof. Mahmood's achievements, ensuring continued progress in electoral reforms ¹.
