The Independent National Electoral Commission has proposed a total sum of N873.78 billion for the conduct of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, disclosed this in Abuja while presenting the commission’s 2026 budget proposal alongside the estimated cost of the 2027 polls before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters.
Amupitan explained that the N873.78 billion projection for the 2027 elections is separate from the N171 billion proposed for the 2026 fiscal year. According to him, the 2026 budget will cater for routine activities, including by-elections and off-cycle governorship polls.
He noted that the 2027 election estimate does not include a fresh request from the National Youth Service Corps, which is seeking about N32 billion to increase allowances for corps members deployed as ad-hoc election officials to N125,000.
Breaking down the proposed 2027 budget, the INEC chairman said N379.75 billion is earmarked for operational expenses, N92.32 billion for administrative costs, N209.21 billion for technology, N154.91 billion for capital expenditure, and N42.61 billion for miscellaneous items. He added that the proposal was submitted in compliance with Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates the commission to present its election budget at least one year before a general election.
On the 2026 fiscal framework, Amupitan revealed that the Ministry of Finance issued INEC a budget ceiling of N140 billion. However, the commission is requesting N171 billion to adequately fund its operations. The breakdown includes N109 billion for personnel costs, N18.7 billion for overheads, N42.63 billion for election-related activities, and N1.4 billion for capital projects.
He criticised the envelope budgeting system, arguing that it does not align with the commission’s operational realities, which often require urgent and flexible funding. He also identified the absence of a dedicated communications network as a major challenge, stressing that developing an independent infrastructure would enhance transparency and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
During the session, Senator Adams Oshiomhole said INEC’s constitutional responsibilities require that its funding should not be subjected to rigid external limits. He called for a review of the envelope budgeting system to prevent underfunding of the electoral body.
Similarly, Edo lawmaker Billy Osawaru advocated placing INEC’s budget on first-line charge to guarantee full and timely releases in line with constitutional provisions.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Simon Lalong, assured the commission of legislative support to ensure adequate preparation for the 2027 polls.
However, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Bayo Balogun, cautioned INEC against raising public expectations it may struggle to meet. He referenced the last general election, noting that the commission had created strong expectations about real-time uploading of results to the INEC Result Viewing portal, which was not explicitly provided for in the Electoral Act but contained in INEC regulations.
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