The Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has pledged to share the Commission’s experiences and provide relevant documents to support the Commission Electorale Nationale Autonomie (CENA) of Benin Republic in preparing for their 2026 elections.
Professor Yakubu made this commitment during a meeting with a visiting delegation from CENA in Abuja on Monday. The delegation, led by CENA President Dr. Sacca Lafia, included 12 members comprising National Commissioners, Directors, and key staff. The visit is part of CENA’s efforts to study INEC’s processes as they gear up for what they described as their most complex election cycle yet.
CENA is scheduled to conduct three major elections within three months in 2026: legislative and local elections in January, followed by the presidential election in April.
Professor Yakubu highlighted the scope of CENA’s interest, which includes Nigeria’s legal framework for elections, design and production of election materials, recruitment and training of polling officials, election budgeting and payment systems, security arrangements, technological innovations, accreditation of observers, and engagement with stakeholders.
To facilitate the study, INEC has developed an extensive programme covering all aspects of its electoral processes. Various departments within INEC are set to brief the Benin delegation to ensure a comprehensive peer-learning experience.
“Peer learning and support are crucial for strengthening electoral processes,” Professor Yakubu emphasized. “We will share our experiences in full and provide relevant documents to enhance your understanding of our operations.”
The visit underscores INEC’s commitment to fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among African electoral bodies.
