The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed N873.778 billion for the conduct of the 2027 general elections.
INEC chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this yesterday while presenting the Commission’s 2026 budget proposal and the projected cost of the 2027 elections before the national assembly joint committee on electoral matters.
He explained that the N873.778 billion earmarked for the 2027 polls is separate from the N171 billion proposed for the 2026 fiscal year. The 2026 budget is intended to fund routine operations, including by-elections and off-cycle polls.
Amupitan added that the projected 2027 election cost does not include a fresh request from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), which is seeking an upward review of allowances for corps members deployed as ad-hoc election staff.
Providing a breakdown of the election budget, which is nearing N1 trillion, the INEC chairman said it comprises five key 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 noted that the proposal was prepared in line 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.
Regarding the 2026 fiscal framework, Amupitan disclosed that the Ministry of Finance issued INEC a budget ceiling of N140 billion. However, the Commission is proposing N171 billion to adequately 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.
The INEC chairman criticised the envelope budgeting system, arguing that it fails to reflect the Commission’s operational realities, which often require urgent and flexible funding.
He also identified the lack of a dedicated communications network as a major challenge, stressing that building independent infrastructure would improve transparency and enable Nigerians to hold the Commission accountable in cases of technical failure.
Lawmakers at the session expressed concerns over funding arrangements for the electoral body.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) argued that, given INEC’s sensitive constitutional role, its budget should not be constrained by rigid external frameworks.
He called for the removal of the envelope system in INEC’s case and urged the national assembly to consider the commission’s actual funding needs to prevent complaints of underfunding.
Similarly, Edo lawmaker Billy Osawaru advocated placing INEC’s budget on first-line charge in accordance with constitutional provisions, with full and timely releases to support effective planning and execution.
The joint committee subsequently approved a motion recommending the one-time release of the Commission’s annual budget. It also indicated that it would review 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 support to ensure adequate preparation for the 2027 polls.
However, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Mr. Bayo Balogun, while expressing support, cautioned the Commission against making commitments it might struggle to fulfil.
Referring to the last general election, he noted that INEC had raised public expectations about uploading results to the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal, creating the impression of real-time monitoring.
“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.