Liberia honours Mahmood Yakubu for ‘sustaining country’s democratic journey’

Liberia’s National Electoral Commission (NEC) has bestowed an “honorary tribute” on Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for “sustaining the country’s democratic journey”.

Yakubu was honoured in Liberia at the commissioning of a workspace for the country’s NEC staff.

Davidetta Lansanah, Liberia’s NEC chairperson, invited her Nigerian counterpart for the commissioning of the workspace.

Lansanah commended the technical support rendered by INEC in establishing the workspace and bolstering the electoral process in Liberia.

She expressed gratitude for the indispensable contributions made by Yakubu and INEC in sustaining Liberia’s democratic journey”.

She also commended Yakubu’s advocacy for resource sharing among regional electoral management bodies (EMBs).

On his part, Yakubu expressed appreciation to Liberia’s NEC for allowing him to dedicate the workspace.

The INEC chairman highlighted the value of the workspace in enhancing the operational capabilities of staff, especially through the information and technology facilities.

Yakubu recalled INEC’s assistance during Liberia’s 2017 presidential election and the joint efforts of information technology (IT) experts from both countries in addressing concerns regarding voters’ registrations.

He called for the prioritisation of peer support among regional election management boards amid the rising cost of conducting elections.

The event was attended by Christine Umutoni, United Nations resident coordinator in Liberia; Manir Ibrahim, charge d’affaires of the Nigerian embassy in Liberia; representative of the Liberian Bar Association, and other well-wishers of the commission.

In November, Liberia’s NEC announced Joseph Boakai as the country’s presidential election winner.

Boakai won with 50.64 percent votes to defeat incumbent George Weah.