INEC chairman raises concerns over high cost of elections, urges lawmakers for adequate funding

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has expressed deep concerns about the escalating cost of elections in Nigeria, calling the expenses exorbitant and unsustainable. Yakubu made this statement on Friday while defending the commission’s 2024 budget implementation before the National Assembly.

Prof. Yakubu revealed that despite INEC being one of Nigeria’s largest employers, the commission operates on a significantly reduced budget of N40 billion, far below the N80 billion originally requested. He noted that this financial constraint is impeding the commission’s ability to fulfill its responsibilities effectively.

In response to these challenges, Yakubu appealed to lawmakers to convene a retreat where both the legislature and INEC could collaborate to find solutions to the financial and operational hurdles facing the electoral process. “We need a major conversation, the commission cannot continue conducting elections all year round,” Yakubu stated.

The INEC Chairman also highlighted the deteriorating condition of the commission’s facilities, particularly the 860 buildings nationwide that urgently need repairs. He called on the National Assembly to ensure adequate funding for INEC, which has now submitted a N126 billion budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year.