Amupitan seeks N873 billion funding for INEC ahead of 2027 general elections
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has requested N873.78 billion to conduct the 2027 general elections, warning that insufficient funding could derail preparations for the polls.
INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan made the appeal on Thursday while presenting the commission’s 2026 budget proposal and projected cost for the 2027 elections before the National Assembly joint committee on electoral matters in Abuja, according to TheCable.
Amupitan said N171 billion is proposed for routine 2026 operations, including bye-elections and off-cycle governorship polls.
He provided a breakdown of the 2027 election budget, saying N379.75 billion would go to operational expenses, N92.32 billion to administrative costs, N209.21 billion to technology-related expenses, N154.91 billion to election capital costs, and N42.61 billion to miscellaneous items.
The budget estimate was prepared in accordance with Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires INEC to submit its election budget at least one year before a general election.
Amupitan also noted that the Federal Ministry of Finance had provided an envelope of N140 billion for 2026, below the commission’s total requirement of N171 billion. The 2026 proposal includes N109 billion for personnel costs, N18.7 billion for overheads, N42.63 billion for election-related activities, and N1.4 billion for capital expenditure.
The INEC chairman criticised the envelope budgeting system, calling it unsuitable for the commission’s operations. He stressed the need for flexible and timely funding and highlighted the absence of a dedicated communications network as a major operational challenge.
“Establishing an independent network infrastructure will enhance transparency and enable Nigerians to better hold the commission accountable for any technical failures during elections,” Amupitan said.
