INEC tells lawmakers it needs N873bn for 2027 polls and N171bn for 2026, warning current budget envelope threatens effective planning

Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday informed the National Assembly of Nigeria in Abuja that it requires N873.78bn to conduct the 2027 general elections, while also demanding N171bn to fund routine operations in the 2026 fiscal year.

Also read: Electoral Act Bill Deferred by Senate Amid Controversy Over INEC Leadership

The disclosure was made by the commission’s Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, during a presentation before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters on the proposed 2026 budget and projected cost for the 2027 polls.

Prof Joash Amupitan said the N873.78bn proposed for the elections represents a sharp rise from the N313.4bn released by the Federal Government for the 2023 general election, attributing the increase to expanded operational, technological and capital demands ahead of the next nationwide vote.

According to Prof Joash Amupitan, the INEC 2027 elections budget is structured across five components, with N379.75bn earmarked for operational costs, N92.32bn for administrative costs, N209.21bn for technological costs, N154.91bn for election capital costs and N42.61bn for miscellaneous expenses.

Prof Joash Amupitan explained that the proposal was prepared in line with Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates the commission to prepare its election budget at least one year before a general election.

On the 2026 fiscal year, Prof Joash Amupitan disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Finance provided a budget envelope of N140bn, but said the commission is proposing a total expenditure of N171bn to cover personnel, overheads, election related activities and capital expenditure.

The INEC chairman argued that the envelope budgeting system does not suit the commission’s operational realities, noting that electoral activities often require urgent and flexible funding outside rigid allocations.

Prof Joash Amupitan also identified the absence of a dedicated communications network as a major operational challenge, adding that developing such infrastructure would improve accountability for technical disruptions during elections.

Speaking at the session, Adams Oshiomhole said external agencies should not dictate the budgeting framework for the electoral body, given the sensitive nature of its constitutional mandate, and advocated abandoning the envelope budgeting model for INEC.

A member of the House of Representatives from Edo State, Billy Osawaru, called for the commission’s budget to be placed on first line charge as provided in the Constitution, with funds released in full and on time to enable early planning.

The Joint Committee approved a motion recommending the one time release of the commission’s annual budget to prevent delays that could affect preparations for the polls.

The committee also indicated it would consider a request by the National Youth Service Corps for about N32bn to increase allowances for corps members engaged as ad hoc staff during elections to N125,000 each.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Simon Lalong, assured that the legislature would work closely with the commission to ensure adequate support for the 2027 elections.

Similarly, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Bayo Balogun, pledged legislative backing but cautioned the commission against making commitments it might struggle to fulfil.

Also read: INEC Revises CVR Process, Rotates Devices in Osun

Bayo Balogun recalled that during the 2023 general election, INEC gave assurances regarding real time result uploads to the IReV portal, creating public expectations that were difficult to meet, and urged the commission to be measured in its public undertakings.