The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed N873.778 billion for the conduct of the 2027 general election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this while presenting the Commission’s 2026 budget proposal and the estimated cost of the 2027 elections before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters. He clarified that the N873.778 billion election budget is separate from INEC’s N171 billion proposal for the 2026 fiscal year, which covers routine operations, including by-elections and off-cycle polls.
Breaking down the proposed election budget, Amupitan said it is structured into five major components: N379.748 billion for operational expenses; N92.317 billion for administrative costs; N209.206 billion for technology; N154.905 billion for capital expenditure; and N42.608 billion for miscellaneous items. He added that the projection excludes a fresh request by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) seeking an upward review of allowances for corps members deployed as ad-hoc election staff.
The INEC chairman explained that the proposal complies with Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires the Commission to submit its election budget at least one year before a general election.
On the 2026 fiscal framework, Amupitan revealed that the Ministry of Finance issued INEC a budget ceiling of N140 billion, but the Commission is proposing N171 billion to meet its obligations. 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 projects.
He criticised the envelope budgeting system, saying it does not align with the Commission’s operational realities, which often require urgent and flexible funding. He also identified the absence of a dedicated communications network as a major challenge, noting that developing independent infrastructure would enhance transparency and accountability, especially in the event of technical failures.
Lawmakers raised concerns over funding mechanisms for the electoral body during the session. Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) argued that INEC’s sensitive constitutional mandate should not be subjected to rigid external frameworks and called for the removal of the envelope system for the Commission.
Similarly, Edo lawmaker Billy Osawaru advocated placing INEC’s budget on first-line charge to guarantee full and timely releases. The Joint Committee subsequently approved a motion recommending a one-time release of the Commission’s annual budget and indicated it would examine the NYSC’s separate request for about N32 billion to increase election duty allowances for corps members to N125,000.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Simon Lalong, assured the Commission of legislative backing for adequate preparation ahead of the 2027 polls. However, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Mr. Bayo Balogun, cautioned INEC against making commitments it may struggle to fulfil, referencing expectations created during the last general election regarding the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal.
“Meanwhile, the IREV was not even in the Electoral Act; it was only in INEC regulations. So, be careful how you make promises,” Balogun warned.
