The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged the Federal Government to release outstanding funds allocated to the commission in its 2026 budget. INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, made the call during a World Press Conference, emphasizing that timely financing is crucial for the successful execution of preparations for the 2027 general elections. Amupitan highlighted that the Federal Government has been releasing statutory budgetary allocations to the commission, but the remaining funds are needed to execute activities without disruption.
Amupitan stressed that executing a national election of this magnitude requires robust financial backing and fiscal discipline. He noted that the Federal Government has demonstrated its commitment to democratic governance through the timely release of statutory budgetary allocations to the commission. These funds have enabled INEC to meet international vendor obligations, finance the production of critical election technology, upgrade fiscal infrastructure, and sustain multi-stakeholder operational deployments nationwide.
INEC's call for the release of outstanding funds comes as the commission prepares for the 2027 general elections, with the presidential election scheduled for January. In February, Amupitan defended the commission's 2026 budget before the National Assembly, revealing that the Federal Ministry of Finance had provided a budget envelope of N140bn, while INEC's total proposed expenditure for the year stood at N171bn. The proposed N171bn comprised N109bn for personnel costs, N18.7bn for overheads, N42.63bn for election-related activities, and N1.4bn for capital expenditure.
The commission also disclosed that it would require N873.78bn to conduct the 2027 general elections. The projected election budget included N379.75bn for operational costs, N92.32bn for administrative expenses, N209.21bn for technology, N154.91bn for election capital expenditure, and N42.61bn for miscellaneous expenses. This funding issue has been a recurring challenge for INEC in its preparations for the 2027 elections.
In June, INEC reported that it had yet to receive budgetary allocations specifically for the 2027 elections, despite continuing with preparations in line with the electoral timetable. Amupitan revealed that the commission had commenced procurement and other preparations, including the purchase of 57,000 new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices, additional voting cubicles, and new operational vehicles.
INEC is also constructing dedicated BVAS storage facilities, renovating offices nationwide, and upgrading its information and communications technology infrastructure. The commission's efforts aim to ensure a seamless and successful execution of the 2027 general elections. Amupitan's call for the release of outstanding funds underscores the importance of timely financing in achieving this goal.
The release of the remaining budget is crucial to enable INEC to execute its activities without disruption. The commission's preparations for the 2027 elections are ongoing, and the timely release of funds will help ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner.
Key points
- INEC requires N873.78bn to conduct the 2027 general elections.
- The commission has commenced procurement and other preparations for the 2027 elections.
- Timely financing is critical to the successful execution of INEC's preparations for the 2027 general elections.
