INEC seeks N1.04tr for off-cycle, 2027 elections, urges early release of funds

The Federal Government may commit about N1.04 trillion to off-cycle elections this year, the 2027 general election and other operational activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), pending approval by the National Assembly.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, presented the proposal while defending the commission’s spending plan before the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Electoral Matters.

Amupitan urged legislators to approve the request and ensure the full and prompt release of the funds.

He cautioned that any delay could disrupt preparations for the forthcoming elections.

According to him, the commission is requesting N873.778 billion for the conduct of the 2027 general election and N171 billion for its 2026operations, which include off-cycle polls scheduled for this year.

He explained that the operational allocation would cover the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections, by-elections slated for next week, as well as the Ekiti and Osun governorship polls fixed for June and September.

The INEC chairman provided a detailed breakdown of the N873.778 billion proposed for the 2027 general election.

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Out of the sum, N379.748 billion is earmarked for operational costs, N92.317 billion for administrative expenses, N209.206 billion for technology, N154.905 billion for election capital costs and N42.608 billion for miscellaneous expenses.

For the N171 billion proposed for 2026 operations, Amupitan said N109 billion would go to personnel costs, N18.7 billion to overheads, N42.63 billion for the conduct of elections and N1.4 billion for capital allocation.

He noted that the election budget was prepared in line with Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022.

It requires the budget for the conduct of elections to be submitted at least one year before a general election.

Amupitan criticised the envelope system of budgeting, describing it as unsuitable for the commission’s operations, which often require urgent interventions.

“The nature of our work demands prompt access to funds,” he said, appealing for the immediate release of approved funds.

He also identified the lack of a dedicated communication network as one of the commission’s major challenges, adding that developing an independent network would enhance accountability.

“If we have our own network, Nigerians can hold us responsible for any hitch,” he said.
Lawmakers back bulk release of funds

Responding to the presentation, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) said no government agency should impose a budgeting model on INEC, given the sensitive nature of its responsibilities.

He argued that the envelope budgeting system should be set aside for the commission, urging lawmakers to work with INEC’s proposals to avoid operational complaints.

Billy Osawaru, a member of the House of Representatives from Edo State, said INEC’s budget should be placed on first-line charge, as provided for in the Constitution, to allow the full release of funds at once for effective planning and execution of its duties.

After deliberations, the joint committee approved a motion calling for a one-time release of INEC’s annual budget.

The committee also said it would consider INEC’s request for an increase in allowances for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed for election duties, estimated at N32 billion, translating to N125,000 per corps member.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Simon Lalong, assured the commission of lawmakers’ support, pledging that the National Assembly would work closely with INEC to ensure all requirements for the successful conduct of the 2027 general election are met.

Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Bayo Balogun, also promised legislative support but cautioned the commission against making commitments that could be difficult to fulfil.

He recalled that a previous INEC administration made extensive promises about real-time result uploads to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV).

“The last INEC made it look as if Nigerians would be watching election results on IREV like television,” Balogun said.

“Meanwhile, IREV was not even provided for in the Electoral Act but only in INEC regulations.

“So, be careful how you make promises.”

(NATION)