The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has proposed N873.778 billion for the conduct of the 2027 general election. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, revealed this on Thursday during his presentation of the Commission’s 2026 budget proposal and the projected cost of the 2027 elections to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters.
He explained that the N873.778 billion earmarked for the 2027 elections is separate from INEC’s proposed N171 billion budget for the 2026 fiscal year, which is intended to fund routine activities such as by-elections and off-cycle polls.
Amupitan further stated that the estimated 2027 election cost does not factor in a new request from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) seeking an upward review of allowances for corps members engaged as ad-hoc election personnel.
Providing a breakdown of the nearly N1 trillion election budget, the INEC chairman said it comprises five key 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 expenses.
He added that the proposal was prepared in line 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.
Regarding the 2026 fiscal framework, Amupitan disclosed that the Ministry of Finance set a budget ceiling of N140 billion for INEC, but the Commission is proposing N171 billion to adequately meet its responsibilities. The proposed allocation includes N109 billion for personnel costs, N18.7 billion for overheads, N42.63 billion for election-related activities, and N1.4 billion for capital projects.
The INEC chairman also faulted the envelope budgeting system, arguing that it fails to reflect the Commission’s operational realities, which often require urgent and flexible funding.
He further identified the lack of a dedicated communications network as a significant challenge, noting that establishing an independent infrastructure would improve transparency and allow Nigerians to hold the Commission accountable in the event of technical glitches. Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) argued that given INEC’s sensitive constitutional mandate, its budget should not be subjected to rigid external frameworks.
He called for the removal of the envelope system in the Commission’s case and urged Parliament to consider its actual funding requirements to forestall complaints of underfunding.