INEC seeks increased funding ahead 2027 general elections

…says governorship polls cost more than presidential election

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has said the cost of conducting governorship elections alone exceeds the combined cost of the presidential and National Assembly elections, stressing that the Commission also bears the financial burden of pre-election and post-election activities, including election petitions arising from party primaries.

Amupitan appealed to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for increased and sustained funding to strengthen INEC’s operations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He made the appeal on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the RMAFC Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, in Abuja, describing the visit as part of efforts to deepen collaboration between the two federal agencies.

The INEC Chairman said the Commission’s constitutional responsibilities include conducting elections for the offices of the President, Vice President, National Assembly, State Governors, State Houses of Assembly and the Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory, as well as continuous voter registration and the registration of political parties.

He added that INEC maintains offices in all 36 states, the FCT and the country’s 774 local government areas, with the Federal Government bearing the full cost of its nationwide operations.

Amupitan reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to conducting free, fair, transparent and credible elections, noting that the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.

He also disclosed that INEC will conduct the off-cycle governorship election in Osun State on August 15, 2026, adding that the recent Ekiti State governorship election and bye-elections in other states had attracted commendation from both local and international observers.

Responding, RMAFC Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, praised INEC’s consistency in conducting elections since 1999 and pledged the Commission’s support to ensure credible polls in 2027. He acknowledged the enormous scope of INEC’s responsibilities across the country and described its operational demands as significant.