The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has informed the National Assembly that it will require N873.78 billion to conduct the 2027 general elections, alongside a proposed N171 billion allocation to run its operations in the 2026 fiscal year.
INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Thursday while defending the commission’s 2026 budget proposal and outlining projected expenses for the 2027 elections before the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters in Abuja.
Amupitan explained that the N873.78 billion estimate is intended to fully fund the nationwide electoral exercise scheduled for 2027.
Separately, the commission is seeking N171 billion to manage its regular responsibilities in 2026, which include bye-elections and off-cycle governorship polls.
The INEC chairman clarified that the projected election cost does not factor in a recent demand by the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, for higher allowances for corps members deployed as ad-hoc staff during elections.
Providing a breakdown of the proposed election expenditure, Amupitan said the nearly N1 trillion budget is divided into five major segments.
“N379.75 billion is for operational costs, N92.32 billion for administrative costs, N209.21 billion for technological costs, N154.91 billion for election capital costs and N42.61 billion for miscellaneous expenses,” Amupitan said.
He added that the estimate was prepared in compliance 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.
Turning to the 2026 fiscal framework, Amupitan noted that the Ministry of Finance had set an envelope of N140 billion for the commission. However, INEC’s internal assessment puts its total requirement at N171 billion.
He detailed that the proposed 2026 spending plan comprises N109 billion for personnel, N18.7 billion for overhead costs, N42.63 billion for election-related engagements and N1.4 billion for capital projects.
Amupitan criticised the envelope budgeting model, arguing that it does not reflect the operational realities of the commission, which frequently demands urgent and adaptable funding.
He also pointed to the absence of an independent communications infrastructure as a significant limitation, saying that establishing a dedicated network would improve transparency and enable Nigerians to better assess the commission’s performance in the event of technical failures.
During deliberations, Senator Adams Oshiomhole maintained that external bodies should not impose rigid budgetary structures on INEC, given the sensitive nature of its constitutional responsibilities. He recommended discarding the envelope budgeting approach.
Oshiomhole further urged lawmakers to align with INEC’s financial projections to prevent underfunding that could jeopardise preparations for the 2027 elections.
Similarly, Edo lawmaker Billy Osawaru advocated placing INEC’s funding on first-line charge, as stipulated by the Constitution, and ensuring timely and complete disbursement to facilitate early planning.
The Joint Committee subsequently adopted a motion recommending a one-time release of the commission’s yearly allocation.
It also indicated readiness to review the NYSC’s request for about N32 billion to raise election duty allowances for corps members to N125,000 each.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Simon Along, assured the commission of legislative backing to guarantee adequate support for the successful conduct of the 2027 polls.
In the House, Chairman of the Committee on Electoral Matters, Bayo Balogun, pledged cooperation but cautioned the commission against making commitments it may struggle to fulfil.
He referenced the 2023 general election, noting that INEC’s assurances on real-time result uploads to the INEC Result Viewing portal had shaped public expectations.
“iREV was not even in the Electoral Act; it was only in INEC regulations. So, be careful how you make promises,” Balogun warned.
The N873.78 billion projected for the 2027 elections marks a substantial rise compared to the N313.4 billion released by the Federal Government for the 2023 general election.
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