INEC 2027 election budget of N873.78bn proposed to fund national polls, with N171bn for 2026 operations and by-elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission has requested N873.78 billion to conduct Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, alongside N171 billion to fund routine operations in the 2026 fiscal year, INEC Chairman Prof Joash Amupitan told the National Assembly on Thursday in Abuja.

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Amupitan presented the commission’s 2026 budget proposal and the projected cost of the 2027 polls before the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters.

He explained that the election budget covers operational, administrative, technological, capital, and miscellaneous expenses, with N379.75 billion earmarked for operations, N92.32 billion for administration, N209.21 billion for technology, N154.91 billion for capital projects, and N42.61 billion for miscellaneous costs.

The chairman noted that the proposed election budget does not include a fresh request by the National Youth Service Corps for increased allowances for corps members engaged as ad-hoc staff during elections.

The commission will also seek N32 billion from the NYSC to raise allowances to N125,000 per participant.

For 2026, Amupitan said the Ministry of Finance allocated N140 billion, but INEC is proposing a total expenditure of N171 billion.

This includes N109 billion for personnel, N18.7 billion for overheads, N42.63 billion for election-related activities, and N1.4 billion for capital expenditure.

He criticised the envelope budgeting system as unsuitable for INEC, citing the need for urgent and flexible funding for election preparations.

Amupitan identified the lack of a dedicated communications network as a major operational challenge, adding that building its own network would enhance transparency and accountability during elections.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole urged the National Assembly to support INEC’s proposal, stressing that external agencies should not dictate the commission’s budgeting framework.

Similarly, House member Billy Osawaru called for the budget to be placed on first-line charge, ensuring full and timely fund release to enable early planning for the 2027 polls.

The Joint Committee on Electoral Matters approved a motion recommending a one-time release of INEC’s annual budget.

Committee chairmen Senator Simon Along and Bayo Balogun pledged legislative support, though Balogun warned the commission against making promises it may be unable to deliver, recalling issues with real-time result viewing during the 2023 general election.