INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu Praises Ghana’s Elections

Ghana’s recent presidential and parliamentary elections have been hailed as a significant success by Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Yakubu described the process as a valuable learning experience and a demonstration of political stability.

On Saturday, December 7, Ghanaians voted to choose their next president and members of parliament. John Mahama, the candidate from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), emerged victorious as the President-elect. The elections attracted international observers, including Yakubu, who was part of an ECOWAS delegation that also included representatives from Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Southern Africa.

Yakubu expressed his satisfaction with the electoral process, noting its smooth execution and positive outcome. “It has been a very interesting election. We are grateful that the election has gone very well,” Yakubu said. He emphasized the importance of supporting Ghana’s electoral commission, adding, “The process and its outcome so far have been commendable, and we continue to support our colleagues in Ghana’s electoral commission.”

Yakubu indicated the unique stability within Ghana’s political landscape, attributing it to the loyalty of political party supporters. He observed that Ghanaians rarely switch party allegiance with each election, a factor he believes strengthens the country’s political environment. “There are people who have supported political parties for many years, whether the party is in power or opposition,” he noted. This consistency, Yakubu argued, fosters stability for both political parties and their supporters.

Yakubu also pointed out how Ghana has drawn from Nigeria’s electoral practices to improve its own system. He praised Ghana’s adoption of decentralized election result management, which he noted was inspired by Nigeria. “Until the last election in Ghana, all results came to the Electoral Commission’s headquarters in Accra,” Yakubu explained. However, following Nigeria’s model, Ghana now allows returning officers in constituencies to announce parliamentary election results locally, with only presidential results being sent to the capital.

This change has led to faster and more efficient election result declarations. “In Nigeria, this is what we have done, and Ghana borrowed a leaf from us. This is the second time they are implementing it, and the presidential election results were announced much faster than in the past,” Yakubu added.