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 while presenting the Commission’s 2026 budget proposal and projected 2027 election costs before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters.
He clarified that the N873.778 billion estimate is separate from INEC’s proposed N171 billion expenditure for 2026 operations, which covers by-elections, off-cycle polls, and routine activities.
Amupitan noted that the projected election cost excludes a fresh request by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) seeking increased allowances for Corps members engaged as ad-hoc staff.
According to him, the election budget is structured across five components: N379.748 billion for operational costs; N92.317 billion for administrative costs; N209.206 billion for technology; N154.905 billion for capital costs; and N42.608 billion for miscellaneous expenses.
He explained that the estimate 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 ahead of the polls.
On the 2026 fiscal plan, Amupitan said the Ministry of Finance issued INEC a budget envelope of N140 billion, but the Commission is proposing N171 billion in total spending — comprising N109 billion for personnel, 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 is unsuitable for INEC’s operations, citing the need for flexible funding to address urgent electoral demands. He also identified the absence of a dedicated communications network as a major operational gap, noting that building one would strengthen accountability for technical failures.
Speaking at the session, Senator Adams Oshiomhole said external agencies should not dictate INEC’s budgeting framework given the sensitivity of its mandate, urging lawmakers to align funding with the Commission’s actual requirements.
Similarly, House of Representatives member Billy Osawaru called for INEC’s budget to be placed on first-line charge as provided by the Constitution, with full and timely releases to support effective planning.
The Joint Committee subsequently approved a motion recommending the one-time release of the Commission’s annual allocation. It also indicated it would review the NYSC’s request for about N32 billion to raise allowances to N125,000 for Corps members engaged during elections.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Simon Lalong, assured lawmakers would work closely with the Commission to ensure adequate support for the 2027 polls.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Bayo Balogun, pledged legislative backing but cautioned INEC against overpromising on deliverables. He recalled that during the last general election, assurances were given about real-time result uploads to 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.
