Yakubu Leads ECONEC Delegation to Senegal’s Electoral Commission

By Paul Ejime

An ECONEC delegation, headed by governing board president, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu met in Dakar today with officials of Senegal’s Independent Electoral Commission (CENA), led by its President Doudou Ndir.

Both sides discussed the strengthening of and support for electoral management bodies in the region, upcoming polls including November legislative vote in Guinea Bissau and 2019 presidential elections in Senegal and Nigeria.

The Prof. Yakubu-led delegation is on en route  to Guinea Bissau on ECONEC’s  Needs Assessment visit to that country’s electoral Commission ahead of its crucial parliamentary election scheduled for November this year. The successful conduct of the  election is expected to pave the way for the eventual withdrawal of troops from 5 ECOWAS member States, including Nigeria, that were deployed six years  ago to restore peace to the country after a long political turmoil. While in Bissau, the ECONEC delegation will meet with the Prime Minister of the Country, the Speaker of Parliament, political parties, civil society and other  stakeholders. 

Profeasor Yakubu is joined by the Chairmen of the Electoral Commission of Burkina Faso Ahmed  Barry Newton and that of Cape Verde Mario do Rosario Gonclaves who  are members of the ECONEC Governing Board.

Prof. Yakubu (4th left), Mr Ndir (5th left), members of the ECONEC delegation and CENA officials