INEC Demands N873.8bn for 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed a total budget of N873.78 billion for the conduct of the 2027 general elections, citing the rising cost of credible electoral processes and the need for early preparation.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, presented the proposal on Thursday during a budget defence session before a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives. He stressed that timely funding, as mandated by the Electoral Act 2022, is critical to ensuring a smooth and credible electoral exercise.

The Electoral Act requires that funds for general elections be appropriated at least 360 days before the polls. According to Amupitan, preparations for the 2027 elections have already commenced.

“If you want to predict the future, it is necessary to create it early. Preparation for the 2027 election has already started,” he said, adding that early appropriation would help the commission avoid avoidable crises.

A breakdown of the proposed budget shows that N375.75 billion is allocated for election operations; N92.31 billion for election administrative costs; N209.21 billion for election technology; and N154.90 billion for capital expenditure. A miscellaneous provision of N41.01 billion brings the total estimate to N873,778,401,602.08.

Amupitan explained that the relatively high capital component reflects the inclusion of items not captured in previous budgets but now incorporated into the 2027 election framework.

A significant portion of the proposal is dedicated to technology, underscoring INEC’s commitment to electronic transmission of results, especially in line with proposed amendments to the Electoral Act. However, the INEC chairman acknowledged concerns about nationwide readiness for full electronic transmission.

He noted that establishing an independent network infrastructure for the commission would enhance transparency and accountability but would require substantial funding.

“We do not even have a network of our own. Assuming we control the network system and are not dictated to by primary and secondary providers, then INEC should be held 100 per cent responsible for whatever happens. But the cost of establishing such infrastructure is enormous,” he stated.

Amupitan also criticised the envelope budgeting system currently imposed by the Ministry of Finance, arguing that it undermines INEC’s operational independence.

“The envelope system is not good for the running of INEC if INEC must be truly independent,” he emphasised, while leaving the final adjustments of the proposal to lawmakers.

The commission further proposed an upward review of allowances for ad hoc staff, including members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who play a key role during elections. INEC is proposing N127,000 per corps member and ad hoc official, covering five days of training and two days of election duty.

The breakdown includes N50,000 for election duty, N5,000 for training allowance, and approximately N9,500 for feeding, among other components. With an estimated 450,000 corps members to be deployed nationwide, the allowance proposal is expected to cost about N32 billion.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Simon Lalong, assured the commission of legislative support, noting that the conference committee on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill would begin harmonising the Senate and House versions on Monday.

“INEC is now the main institution between now and next year. It is going to get tougher. We will continue to give you all necessary support legislatively, but Nigerians are watching,” Lalong said.

The joint committee also considered a motion urging the full implementation of INEC’s first-line charge status to guarantee its financial autonomy as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 polls.