INEC proposes N873.78bn for 2027 elections, seeks early appropriation

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed a budget of N873.78 billion for the conduct of the 2027 general elections, signalling the formal commencement of preparations for the nationwide exercise.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, presented the proposal on Thursday before the joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Electoral Matters at the National Assembly.

Prof. Amupitan clarified that the N873.778 billion earmarked for the 2027 polls is separate from the Commission’s 2026 budget proposal, under which INEC intends to spend N171 billion to cover its routine operations, including by-elections and off-cycle governorship elections.

He explained that preparations for the 2027 elections had begun in line with statutory provisions that mandate election funds to be appropriated at least 360 days before the date fixed for the polls. According to him, early approval of funds would guarantee meticulous planning and seamless execution of the exercise across the federation.

Although he did not present exhaustive details of all line items during the session, the INEC chairman disclosed that the nearly N1 trillion election budget is structured under five broad components. These include N379.748 billion for operational costs, N92.317 billion for administrative expenses, N209.206 billion for technological deployment, N154.905 billion for election capital expenditure, and N42.608 billion for miscellaneous costs.

Prof. Amupitan noted that the capital component is higher than in previous cycles because several capital items not fully captured in earlier appropriations have now been consolidated into the 2027 election framework. He added that detailed budget codes and comprehensive breakdowns were contained in documents submitted to the committee.

The joint session was chaired by Senator Simon Bako Lalong and Hon. Adebayo Balogun.

The INEC boss further disclosed that the proposed election budget does not include a fresh request by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), which is seeking an upward review of allowances for Corps members deployed as ad hoc electoral staff.

Citing Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, Prof. Amupitan stressed that the Commission is legally required to prepare its election budget at least one year ahead of the general election.

On the Commission’s 2026 fiscal proposal, he revealed that the Ministry of Finance issued INEC a budget envelope of N140 billion. However, the Commission is seeking N171 billion to meet its projected needs.

The proposed 2026 expenditure comprises N109 billion for personnel costs, N18.7 billion for overheads, N42.63 billion for election-related activities, and N1.4 billion for capital expenditure.

He argued that the envelope budgeting system does not adequately reflect the peculiar and time-sensitive nature of INEC’s responsibilities, which often demand urgent and flexible funding arrangements. He also identified the absence of a dedicated communications network as a major operational limitation, suggesting that developing an independent infrastructure would enhance transparency and accountability in future elections.

In his remarks, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) maintained that external agencies should not dictate the Commission’s budgeting structure, given the sensitive nature of its constitutional mandate. He urged that the envelope system be set aside in INEC’s case and called on Parliament to align funding strictly with the Commission’s operational realities.

Similarly, a member of the House of Representatives from Edo State, Hon. Billy Osawaru, advocated placing INEC’s budget on first-line charge as provided in the Constitution, with full and timely releases to facilitate effective planning.

The Joint Committee subsequently approved a motion recommending the one-time release of the Commission’s annual allocation.

Lawmakers also indicated that they would consider the NYSC’s request for about N32 billion to raise Corps members’ election duty allowance to N125,000 per engagement.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Simon Along, assured that the National Assembly would collaborate closely with the Commission to ensure adequate support for the successful conduct of the 2027 general elections.

However, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Rep. Bayo Balogun, cautioned INEC against making commitments it may struggle to fulfil.

He recalled that during the last general elections, the Commission made strong assurances regarding the uploading of results to the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal, creating public expectations of real-time transparency.

“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.