A delegation of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC), led by its President and Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nigeria, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu at the weekend met with the management team of the Commission Electorale Independante of Cote d’Ivoire (CEI)) in Abidjan.
The Needs Assessment meeting took place at the CEI’s instance and was intended to among others, ascertain the specific areas where the regional body could intervene to assist the CEI realize its objectives. The consultation is also coming on the heels of Liberia’s general elections held on 10th October, where ECONEC played a significant role, having carried out a Needs Assessment tour several weeks before the polls. Prof. Yakubu, in his capacity as ECONEC’s President, was in Monrovia with a strong INEC team to observe the conduct of the polls.
ECONEC is the umbrella organization of Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) in West Africa and was founded in 2008 to promote free, fair and credible elections. The organization’s theory of change is anchored on its belief that “if West African election managers are able to learn from the experiences of one another, continuously develop their capacities through training, pool their resources and support each other, then their ability to deliver fair and credible polls will be increased and the quality of elections in West Africa will be improved.”
Besides, it seeks to, among others, promote the concept of independent and impartial election organizations and administrators, strengthen public confidence in the electoral process through free, credible electoral procedures and develop professional election officials with integrity, a strong sense of public service and commitment to democracy.
Prof Yakubu emerged ECONEC President in March after a keen contest.
