“Technology Improved Elections, But It Can’t End Electoral Flaws” — Ex-INEC Chair Mahmood Yakubu

Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has said that although technology has significantly improved Nigeria’s electoral process over the past decade, it cannot by itself eliminate the deep-rooted flaws that continue to affect the credibility of the country’s elections.

Yakubu made this known in a new book, Election Management in Nigeria: 2015–2025, published by INEC and obtained by Sunday Punch. The 200-page volume details the commission’s operations, innovations, and setbacks during his two terms as chairman from 2015 to 2025.

In the foreword, Yakubu described the period as one of the most eventful decades in Nigeria’s electoral history, marked by both progress and persistent challenges. He highlighted the introduction of key technologies such as the Bi-Modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the INEC Voter Enrolment Device, the INEC Results Viewing Portal, and the expansion of polling units across the country.

He noted that INEC also made efforts to promote inclusivity by implementing policies targeting women, youth, persons with disabilities, and internally displaced persons. However, Yakubu admitted that despite these gains, the commission still grappled with serious issues such as conflicting court orders, electoral violence, vote trading, and logistical failures that have repeatedly disrupted election timelines since 2011.

“Technical challenges with equipment and connectivity failures have sometimes hindered the smooth conduct of elections,” he wrote, adding that technology alone cannot serve as a cure-all for the system’s problems. He explained that INEC responded to these setbacks through reforms in voter education, improved training for election officials, and enhanced cooperation with security agencies.

Looking ahead, Yakubu urged continued reforms, inclusivity, and public trust, warning that future elections would bring new challenges requiring both the consolidation of past successes and the adoption of new strategies. “Only through these measures,” he said, “can the commission ensure free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections and strengthen democracy in Nigeria.”

Yakubu, first appointed in 2015 by former President Muhammadu Buhari and reappointed in 2020, was the first INEC chairman to serve two terms. His tenure was defined by major technological reforms but also by controversies, particularly during the 2023 general elections, which drew widespread criticism over logistical lapses and alleged irregularities. Though INEC cited technical issues in its defense, the credibility of the results—especially the presidential poll—was heavily contested.

President Bola Tinubu accepted Yakubu’s resignation earlier this year and honored him with the national award of Commander of the Order of the Niger. The National Council of State has since approved Tinubu’s nomination of Professor Joash Amupitan as the next INEC chairman, pending Senate confirmation. Acting Chairman May Agbamuche-Mbu will continue to oversee the commission until then.

Meanwhile, Yakubu’s remarks have drawn mixed reactions from political parties. The Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party accused him of hypocrisy and poor performance, arguing that his acknowledgment of persistent flaws was an admission of failure. PDP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, questioned why Yakubu failed to resolve the very problems he now highlights. Labour Party’s spokesperson, Obiora Ifoh, described his comments as self-indicting, insisting that corruption among election officials—not technology—remains the biggest obstacle to credible polls.

The African Democratic Congress agreed that technology is only as effective as the people managing it. ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi warned that even advanced systems can be compromised by bad actors, stressing that every INEC chair should be treated with caution until proven credible.

However, the New Nigeria People’s Party took a different stance, saying politicians, not INEC, bear most of the blame for flawed elections. NNPP’s National Secretary, Dipo Olayokun, said many candidates approach elections determined to win “by hook or crook,” making it difficult for any electoral body to ensure a completely fair process. He urged the incoming INEC chairman to pursue deeper reforms and remain steadfast in upholding electoral integrity.