INEC Seeks N873bn for 2027 Polls and Proposes N171bn 2026 Budget
Abuja – The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has proposed a total of 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 framework and the estimated 2027 election cost before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters.
Breakdown of INEC’s N873.778bn 2027 Election Budget
According to the Commission, the proposed budget — approaching N1 trillion — is structured into five major components:
N379.748 billion for operational expenses
N92.317 billion for administrative costs
N209.206 billion for technology
N154.905 billion for capital expenditure
N42.608 billion for miscellaneous expenses
The INEC chairman clarified that the figure excludes a fresh request from the National Youth Service Corps NYSC, which is seeking about N32 billion to raise election duty allowances for corps members to N125,000.
He explained that the proposal complies with Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates the submission of election budgets at least one year before a general election.
INEC’s Proposed N171bn 2026 Budget
For 2026, INEC received a N140 billion budget ceiling from the Ministry of Finance. However, the Commission is proposing N171 billion to adequately meet its operational obligations.
2026 Budget Breakdown:
N109 billion for personnel costs
N18.7 billion for overhead
N42.63 billion for election-related activities including by-elections and off-cycle polls
N1.4 billion for capital projects
The Commission criticised the envelope budgeting system, arguing that it limits flexibility despite the sensitive and time-bound nature of electoral operations.
Lawmakers React to INEC Funding Framework
Lawmakers raised concerns about the funding mechanism applied to INEC.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole representing Edo North argued that given INEC’s constitutional responsibilities, its budget should not be subjected to rigid external frameworks. He called for the removal of the envelope system to prevent underfunding.
Similarly, Edo lawmaker Billy Osawaru advocated placing INEC’s funding on first-line charge, ensuring full and timely releases.
The Joint Committee later approved a motion recommending a one-time release of the Commission’s annual budget while promising to examine the NYSC’s separate funding request.
Senator Simon Lalong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, assured the Commission of legislative support ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, House Committee Chairman Bayo Balogun cautioned the Commission against raising public expectations it may struggle to meet. He referenced controversies surrounding the INEC Result Viewing IREV portal during the last general elections.
Why INEC Is Seeking Increased Funding
INEC identified several operational challenges, including:
Lack of a dedicated communications infrastructure
Growing technological demands
Rising operational and logistics costs
Inflationary pressures
The Commission stressed that building an independent communications network would enhance transparency and accountability in future elections.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much is INEC proposing for the 2027 elections?
INEC has proposed N873.778 billion for the conduct of the 2027 general elections.
Is the 2027 election budget separate from the 2026 budget?
Yes. The N873.778 billion election budget is separate from the N171 billion proposed for INEC’s 2026 fiscal operations.
Why is INEC asking for more than the budget ceiling?
INEC received a N140 billion ceiling but proposed N171 billion, arguing that the envelope budgeting system does not reflect its operational realities.
Does the proposed election budget include NYSC allowances?
No. The figure excludes a separate N32 billion request by NYSC for election duty allowances.
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