The Independent National Electoral Commission has proposed a budget of N873.78 billion for the conduct of the 2027 general elections, with major allocations earmarked for election operations, technology and capital expenditure. INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, presented the proposal on Thursday before a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Electoral Matters at the National Assembly. He explained that the N873.778 billion projected for the 2027 polls is separate from the Commission’s 2026 budget proposal, under which INEC plans to spend N171 billion on its routine operations, including by-elections and off-cycle elections.
According to him, preparations for the 2027 elections have already begun in line with legal requirements that election funds be appropriated at least 360 days before the scheduled date. He noted that early appropriation would support effective planning and ensure a smooth nationwide exercise.Amupitan said that while a detailed breakdown of every line item was not exhaustively presented, the proposed election budget is structured around five key components: N379.748 billion for operational costs, N92.317 billion for administrative expenses, N209.206 billion for technology, N154.905 billion for capital items, and N42.608 billion for miscellaneous costs.
He added that the capital component is higher than in previous elections because several capital items that were either omitted or inadequately funded in past budgets have now been consolidated into the 2027 election plan. The INEC chairman said detailed budget codes and further explanations were provided in documents submitted to the committee for scrutiny.The joint session was chaired by Senator Simon Bako Lalong and Hon. Adebayo Balogun. Amupitan also disclosed that the projected election budget does not include a fresh proposal from the National Youth Service Corps seeking an upward review of allowances for Corps members engaged as ad hoc staff during elections. He noted that the budget was prepared in line with provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires INEC to prepare its election budget at least one year ahead of a general election.
On the 2026 fiscal year, he said the Ministry of Finance issued INEC a budget envelope of N140 billion, but the Commission is proposing total spending of N171 billion. 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 expenditure. He argued that the envelope budgeting system does not suit INEC’s operations, as the Commission often requires urgent and flexible funding. He also identified the absence of a dedicated communications network as a major challenge, adding that owning such infrastructure would allow Nigerians to better hold INEC accountable for any technical failures.
In his remarks, Senator Adams Oshiomhole said INEC’s sensitive mandate means external agencies should not impose rigid budgeting frameworks on the Commission. He urged lawmakers to set aside the envelope system for INEC and instead align funding with its actual needs to prevent future complaints of underfunding. Also speaking, House of Representatives member Billy Osawaru called for INEC’s budget to be placed on first-line charge as provided by the Constitution, with funds released fully and promptly to support effective planning and execution.
The joint committee subsequently approved a motion recommending the one-time release of the Commission’s annual budget. It also said it would consider the NYSC’s request for about N32 billion to raise Corps members’ election duty allowance to N125,000 each. Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Simon Lalong, assured that the National Assembly would work closely with the Commission to provide the support required for a successful 2027 general election.
Similarly, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Rep. Bayo Balogun, pledged legislative backing but cautioned INEC against making commitments it may struggle to meet. He recalled that during the last general election, INEC gave strong assurances about real-time uploading of results to its result viewing portal, even though the platform was not expressly provided for in the Electoral Act, warning the Commission to be more cautious in managing public expectations.
Source: https://guardian.ng/
