INEC boss promises to professionalise Commission

Mahmood Yakubu, chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has expressed his resolve to professionalise activities at the Commission.

This, he said, is to ensure that elections conducted by the Commission are devoid of controversy. Yakubu spoke when he received the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright in Abuja on Thursday.

Yakubu said he had witnessed elections in other societies where the identity of the chief electoral officer was not an issue, adding Nigeria must start moving in that direction.

According to the INEC boss, his first priority at the Commission is to bring professionalism into election administration in the country and as well “institutionalise ICT-based solutions.”

He also pledged ‎to improve engagement with major stakeholders for maximum participation, with emphasis on women, youths, the disadvantaged, internally-displaced persons and other vulnerable groups.

While seeking more technical assistance from the UK government, Yakubu said he would ensure that the Commission consolidates on its modest successes in the last general elections.

In his remarks, Arkwright expressed the readiness of his home government to‎ partner with INEC in order to deepen Nigeria’s democracy.

British government looks forward to getting a comprehensive brief from INEC, he said, stating major areas of necessary assistance.