INEC seeks release of outstanding funds ahead of 2027 polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission has called for the prompt release of outstanding funds under its 2026 budget, saying timely financing is critical to the seamless execution of preparations for the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, made the call while addressing a World Press Conference ahead of the elections on Tuesday.

Amupitan said preparations for the elections required “robust financial backing and fiscal discipline”, adding that the Federal Government had continued to release statutory budgetary allocations to the commission.

He, however, said INEC was expecting the release of the remaining funds to enable it to execute its activities without disruption.

“Executing a national election of this magnitude requires robust financial backing and fiscal discipline.

“The Federal Government has maintained its commitment to democratic governance through the timely release of statutory budgetary allocations to the commission, operating under a framework of transparent fiscal management,” he said.

“These funds have enabled us to meet international vendor obligations, finance the production of critical election technology, upgrade fiscal infrastructure, and sustain multi-stakeholder operational deployments nationwide.

“However, we expect the prompt release of the remaining budgets to ensure seamless execution of the activities,” the chairman added.

The commission’s call comes against the backdrop of its 2026 funding requirements and projected expenditure for the 2027 general elections, with the presidential election scheduled for January.

In February, while defending its 2026 budget before the National Assembly, Amupitan said the Federal Ministry of Finance had provided a budget envelope of N140bn, while INEC’s total proposed expenditure for the year stood at N171bn.

The proposed N171bn comprised N109bn for personnel costs, N18.7bn for overheads, N42.63bn for election-related activities and N1.4bn for capital expenditure.

INEC also told the National Assembly that it would require N873.78bn to conduct the 2027 general elections.

The projected election budget included N379.75bn for operational costs, N92.32bn for administrative expenses, N209.21bn for technology, N154.91bn for election capital expenditure and N42.61bn for miscellaneous expenses.

The funding issue has featured repeatedly in INEC’s preparations for the 2027 elections.

In June, the commission said it had yet to receive budgetary allocations specifically for the 2027 elections, although it maintained that preparations were continuing in line with the electoral timetable.

Amupitan said the commission had also commenced procurement and other preparations, including the purchase of 57,000 new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices, additional voting cubicles and new operational vehicles.

He added that INEC was constructing dedicated BVAS storage facilities, renovating offices nationwide and upgrading its information and communications technology infrastructure.