The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed a budget of N873.778 billion for the conduct of the 2027 general elections, while also submitting a N171 billion budget for its 2026 operations, the commission announced yesterday.
INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan presented the figures to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters, clarifying that the 2027 election budget is separate from the 2026 fiscal allocation.
ENigeria Newspaper reports that the commission’s 2026 budget covers routine operations, by-elections, and off-cycle polls.
The proposed 2027 election budget approaches N1 trillion and is divided into five main 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. Amupitan noted that the estimate excludes a separate National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) request for increased allowances for corps members serving as ad-hoc election staff.
For the 2026 fiscal year, INEC requested N171 billion, exceeding the Ministry of Finance’s N140 billion ceiling. The breakdown includes N109 billion for personnel, N18.7 billion for overheads, N42.63 billion for election-related activities, and N1.4 billion for capital projects. The chairman criticised the envelope budgeting system, saying it does not accommodate the commission’s urgent and flexible funding needs, and highlighted the absence of a dedicated communications network as a constraint to transparency and accountability.
Lawmakers expressed support for adequate funding but cautioned INEC on setting unrealistic expectations. Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Edo lawmaker Billy Osawaru called for first-line charge treatment of INEC’s budget to ensure timely releases and effective planning. The Joint Committee approved a motion recommending the one-time release of INEC’s annual budget and will also consider the NYSC’s request of about N32 billion to raise election duty allowances to N125,000.
Senator Simon Lalong assured legislative backing for 2027 preparations, while House Committee Chairman Bayo Balogun warned INEC against over-promising technological capabilities, referencing challenges with real-time results during the last general election.
The submission marks a critical step in Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 polls, aiming to ensure the electoral body is adequately funded for operational efficiency and technological deployment.
