Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has projected a total expenditure of N873.778 billion for the conduct of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Thursday while presenting the Commission’s 2026 budget proposal alongside the estimated cost of the 2027 polls before the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Electoral Matters.
Amupitan clarified that the projected N873.778 billion election budget is separate from INEC’s proposed N171 billion allocation for the 2026 fiscal year, which is intended to cover routine operations, including by-elections and off-cycle governorship polls.
He explained that the estimated cost of the 2027 elections does not include a fresh request by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for an upward review of allowances for corps members deployed as ad-hoc election personnel.
Providing a breakdown of the election budget, which is approaching the N1 trillion mark, the INEC chairman said N379.748 billion is earmarked for operational expenses, N92.317 billion for administrative costs, N209.206 billion for technology, N154.905 billion for capital expenditure, while N42.608 billion is allocated for miscellaneous items.
According to him, the proposal was prepared in line with Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires the Commission to submit its election budget at least one year ahead of a general election.
On the 2026 fiscal framework, Amupitan revealed that the Ministry of Finance had issued INEC a budget ceiling of N140 billion. However, the Commission is proposing N171 billion to adequately meet its obligations.
The proposed budget comprises N109 billion for personnel costs, N18.7 billion for overheads, N42.63 billion for election-related activities, and N1.4 billion for capital projects.
The INEC boss criticised the envelope budgeting system, describing it as inconsistent with the Commission’s operational realities, which often require urgent and flexible funding.
He also identified the lack of a dedicated communications network as a major operational challenge, noting that developing an independent infrastructure would enhance transparency and enable Nigerians to hold the Commission accountable in the event of technical failures.
Lawmakers at the session expressed concerns over the funding framework for the electoral body.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) argued that given INEC’s sensitive constitutional mandate, its budget should not be subjected to rigid external constraints.
He called for the removal of the envelope budgeting system in INEC’s case and urged Parliament to consider the Commission’s actual funding needs to prevent recurring complaints of underfunding.
Similarly, a lawmaker from Edo State, Billy Osawaru, advocated placing INEC’s budget on first-line charge in accordance with constitutional provisions, with full and timely releases to ensure effective planning and implementation.
Following deliberations, the Joint Committee approved a motion recommending a one-time release of the Commission’s annual budget.
It also disclosed that it would consider a separate request by the NYSC for about N32 billion to increase election duty allowances for corps members to N125,000.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Simon Lalong, assured the Commission of the National Assembly’s support to ensure adequate preparation for the 2027 general elections.
However, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Rep. Bayo Balogun, while pledging legislative backing, cautioned INEC against making commitments it may struggle to fulfil.
He recalled that during the last general election, the Commission raised public expectations about real-time upload of results to the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal, creating the impression of seamless monitoring.
“Meanwhile, IREV was not even provided for in the Electoral Act; it was only contained in INEC regulations. So, be careful how you make promises,” Balogun warned.
