The ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) has elected a new president, Dr Maria do Rosario Lopes Pereira Goncalves. Dr Goncalves was the organisation’s Deputy Treasurer and is the Chair of the Cape Verde Electoral Commission.

Her election took place at the end of the 6th biennial General Assembly of ECONEC which took place in Abuja, Nigeria between the 6th and 7th of August this year.

She replaces Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent Electoral Commission, who served as president of the commission from 2017 to 2019. Professor Yakubu was conferred with the title of Honorary President of ECONEC “in recognition of his exemplary leadership and contributions to the promotion of democracy and good governance in the ECOWAS region,” according to a publication on the official ECOWAS website.

Dr Goncalves will lead the Steering Committee made up of:

• Mr Newton Ahmed Barry, Chairman of the Burkina Faso Electoral Commission, as the 1st Vice President;
• Mr Momarr Alieu Njai, Chairman of The Gambia’s electoral commission, as 2nd Vice President;
• Mr Amadou Ba, Chair of Mali’s Electoral Commission, as Treasurer and;
• Madam Jean Mensa, Chairlady of the Ghana Electoral Commission, as Deputy Treasurer.

The Permanent Secretary of the Network and the Head of the ECOWAS Electoral Assistance Division (EAD), Mr Sourou Francis Gabriel Oke, will assist the Steering Committee.

Dr Goncalves expressed her commitment to fulfilling the responsibilities of ECONEC and improving the electoral process in the region. She also commended the outgoing Steering Committee for a job well done. 

ECONEC is the umbrella organisation of the Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) in West Africa and was founded in 2008. Part of its objectives is to promote free and credible elections, peer support and strengthen the capacity of the 15-member states of ECOWAS.

The new 5-member Steering Committee is expected to oversee the affairs of ECONEC for the next two years (2019-2021).