The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed N873.778 billion for the conduct of the 2027 general elections, separate from its N171 billion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this while presenting the Commission’s 2026 budget and the estimated cost of the 2027 polls to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters. He explained that the election budget covers only activities tied to the 2027 polls, while the 2026 proposal caters to routine operations, including by-elections and off-cycle elections.
Amupitan added that the election estimate excludes a fresh request by the (NYSC) seeking an upward review of allowances for corps members deployed as ad-hoc election staff.
Breaking down the nearly N1 trillion election budget, he said it comprises N379.748 billion for operations, N92.317 billion for administration, N209.206 billion for technology, N154.905 billion for capital expenditure, and N42.608 billion for miscellaneous items. He noted that the proposal complies with the Electoral Act 2022, which requires INEC to submit its election budget at least one year ahead of a general election.
On the 2026 framework, Amupitan said INEC received a N140 billion budget ceiling from the Ministry of Finance but is proposing N171 billion to meet obligations—N109 billion for personnel, N18.7 billion for overheads, N42.63 billion for election-related activities, and N1.4 billion for capital projects. He criticised envelope budgeting, saying it constrains INEC’s need for urgent and flexible funding, and highlighted the lack of a dedicated communications network as a key operational challenge.
Lawmakers expressed concerns over funding mechanisms. Senator argued that INEC’s constitutional mandate should exempt it from rigid budgeting frameworks, while Edo lawmaker Billy Osawaru called for first-line charge funding with timely releases.
The Joint Committee approved a motion recommending a one-time release of INEC’s annual budget and said it would review the NYSC’s separate N32 billion request to raise corps members’ election duty allowance to N125,000.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, , assured the Commission of legislative support. However, House Committee Chairman urged caution, warning INEC against making commitments—such as expectations around result uploads—that it may struggle to meet.