INEC Reviews Yakubu’s Decade, Says Reforms Strengthened Electoral Credibility

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has described the 10-year tenure of its former Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, as one of the most transformative periods in Nigeria’s electoral history.

In two new publications Election Management in Nigeria: 2015–2025 and Innovations in Electoral Technology: 2015–2025 the Commission said Yakubu’s era deepened the use of technology, enhanced transparency, expanded voter access, and strengthened public confidence in elections.

Appointed in 2015 by former President Muhammadu Buhari and reappointed in 2020, Yakubu became the first INEC chairman to complete two full terms in office. His administration supervised two general elections (2019 and 2023), 19 off-cycle governorship polls, and hundreds of supplementary and bye-elections across more than 4,500 constituencies nationwide.

The reports highlighted major innovations during the period, including the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), and the INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED), all of which, the Commission said, redefined transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral process.

In his foreword, Yakubu noted that while the decade recorded major progress, persistent challenges such as electoral violence, vote buying, and conflicting court injunctions posed significant threats.

> “The decade between 2015 and 2025 has been one of the most momentous in the history of election management in Nigeria,” he wrote. “Measured and forward-looking reforms, driven by lessons learnt and peer reviews, were aimed at improving election conduct and restoring trust in the process.”

The Commission explained that under Yakubu’s watch, INEC fully transitioned from manual to digital election management. The deployment of IVED in 2021 modernised voter registration through biometric and facial capture, while the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) Online Portal allowed citizens to pre-register from anywhere a first in Nigeria.

To enhance voter authentication, the BVAS was introduced in 2021 to verify voters via fingerprints and facial recognition, transmitting results directly to IReV for public viewing. These reforms were backed by the Electoral Act 2022, which legally empowered INEC to adopt technology in voter registration, accreditation, and results management.

INEC also developed several internal systems, including the Election Results Management System (ERMS), Collation and Returning Officers Management System (CROMS), and Political Finance Reporting and Auditing System (PFRAS) aimed at improving data integrity, staff management, and campaign finance transparency.

A major milestone during the decade was the expansion of polling units for the first time in 25 years, increasing the number from 119,974 to 176,846 to reduce overcrowding and improve voter access.

Beyond technology, the reports noted that Yakubu’s administration prioritised inclusivity by introducing braille guides, magnifying lenses, and priority voting for persons with disabilities (PwDs), women, youths, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

However, the publications also acknowledged persistent challenges, including insecurity, vote buying, and logistical disruptions. Between 2019 and 2023, more than 50 INEC offices were attacked, forcing the Commission to “respond with innovation, resilience, and reform.”

INEC pledged to continue strengthening collaboration with domestic, regional, and international electoral bodies to consolidate Nigeria’s progress toward credible, technology-driven elections.