The Federal Government may commit a total of N1.04 trillion to fund off-cycle elections, the 2027 general elections and other operational needs of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), pending approval by the National Assembly.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, presented the proposal before the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Electoral Matters, urging lawmakers to approve the request and ensure the timely release of funds.
He warned that delays in funding could disrupt preparations for upcoming elections.
Breakdown of the Budget
According to Amupitan, INEC is seeking:
N873.778 billion for the 2027 general election
N171 billion for 2026 operations, including off-cycle elections
The N171 billion allocation would cover the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections, upcoming by-elections, and the Ekiti and Osun governorship polls scheduled for June and September.
For the 2027 elections, the proposed N873.778 billion is broken down as follows:
N379.748 billion for operational costs
N92.317 billion for administrative expenses
N209.206 billion for technology
N154.905 billion for election capital costs
N42.608 billion for miscellaneous expenses
The 2026 operational budget includes N109 billion for personnel, N18.7 billion for overheads, N42.63 billion for election conduct and N1.4 billion for capital allocation.
Amupitan said the proposal aligns with Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates submission of election budgets at least one year before a general election.
INEC Rejects Envelope Budgeting
The INEC chairman criticised the envelope budgeting system, arguing that it hampers urgent electoral interventions.
“The nature of our work demands prompt access to funds,” he said, appealing for flexibility and immediate release of approved allocations.
He also identified the absence of a dedicated communication network as a major operational challenge, noting that an independent network would improve accountability and transparency.
“If we have our own network, Nigerians can hold us responsible for any hitch,” he stated.
Lawmakers Back Bulk Disbursement
Lawmakers expressed support for INEC’s position.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) argued that no agency should impose restrictive budgeting models on INEC, given its sensitive mandate.
A member of the House of Representatives, Billy Osawaru, called for INEC’s budget to be placed on first-line charge, as provided by the Constitution, to enable a one-time release for efficient planning.
Following deliberations, the joint committee approved a motion recommending a bulk release of INEC’s annual budget.
The committee also agreed to consider INEC’s request for an estimated N32 billion to increase allowances for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed for election duties — about N125,000 per corps member.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Simon Lalong, assured INEC of legislative backing, while House Committee Chairman Bayo Balogun cautioned the commission against overpromising, referencing past controversies surrounding the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV).
As preparations intensify for 2027, lawmakers say ensuring adequate funding and institutional support for INEC remains critical to delivering credible elections.