We did not receive cash from development partners – INEC

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, has clarified that the body did not receive any cash support from international development partners to conduct the 2023 general election.

The clarification from Prof. Yakubu was provided during a meeting with civil society organisations to discuss the general election of 2023.

He claimed that the federal government was the only source of INEC’s financial support and that it was important to dispel the myth that some members of the public held regarding the commission’s receipt of sizable donations from foreign aid organisations for the election.

“On the contrary, and for the avoidance of doubt, the Commission did not receive any direct funding or cash support from international development partners,” he said.

He stated that it has long been INEC’s policy not to accept direct funding or cash transfers from organisations other than the Nigerian federal government, adding that the support of the federal government came in the form of technical guidance, civic and voter education, the organisation of meetings and workshops to build capacity, as well as the publication of documents.

The commission expressed gratitude to civil society organisations and development partners for their tremendous support during the general election of 2023.