The Immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has identified court cases, conflicting judicial orders, electoral violence, and vote buying as major threats to the smooth conduct and management of elections in Nigeria.
Yakubu made the observation in the foreword to his new book titled “Election Management in Nigeria: 2015 to 2025,” which touches on his decade-long leadership of the Commission and the reforms undertaken during his tenure.
The 220-page book, released on his final day in office, captures key developments, challenges, and lessons from Nigeria’s electoral process over the last ten years.
It is divided into 11 chapters, covering topics such as election technology, logistics, security, and institutional reform.
According to Yakubu, the Commission faced recurring difficulties linked to pre- and post-election litigations, inconsistent judicial pronouncements, and the rising tide of violence and vote buying, all of which undermined public confidence in the electoral system.
“The decade between 2015 and 2025 has been one of the most momentous in the history of election management in Nigeria. There have been several milestones, many challenges, and useful lessons in the conduct and administration of elections during this period,” he said.
Yakubu, however, noted that despite the obstacles, INEC recorded remarkable progress, implementing wide-ranging reforms that improved transparency, voter access, and inclusivity.
Under his watch, the Commission introduced several innovations, including the Simultaneous Accreditation and Voting System (CAVs), the INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED), and the Bi-Modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
INEC also expanded polling units nationwide from 119,974 to 176,846, the first such expansion in 25 years.
The publication further highlights reforms such as the creation of the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV), digital submission platforms for candidate and observer accreditation, and inclusive initiatives targeting persons with disabilities (PwDs), internally displaced persons (IDPs), women, and youth.
Yakubu also pointed to the establishment of the Election Management Support Centre (EMSC), which provides real-time monitoring of election activities, as well as INEC’s support for sister electoral bodies across West Africa.
Despite these achievements, he admitted that recurring challenges, including logistics delays, technical glitches, and network failures, continued to hinder the Commission’s operations.
“In response to these challenges, the Commission implemented various reforms, including enhanced voter education, capacity building for electoral officials, and stronger collaboration with security agencies to ensure the safety of voters and personnel,” he stressed.
Yakubu emphasized that as elections continue to evolve, INEC must remain proactive, consolidating past successes while embracing new reforms to strengthen electoral integrity.
He added that the Commission must “intensify confidence and trust-building measures, expand inclusivity, and continuously anticipate and address emerging threats” to ensure that Nigeria’s elections remain free, fair, credible, and reflective of the people’s will.
