INEC Requires ₦873.78 Billion for 2027 Elections

Professor Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared that the commission requires a total of ₦873.78 billion to conduct the 2027 general elections. He explained that the budget is essential for ensuring efficient electoral processes and includes significant allocations for technology to support electronic transmission of results.

Amupitan broke down the budget into four major components: electoral operations costing ₦375.75 billion, electoral administration at ₦92.31 billion, electoral technology at ₦209.21 billion, and capital costs at ₦154.90 billion, with additional miscellaneous provisions totaling ₦41.01 billion. He stressed the urgency for lawmakers to ensure adequate appropriations and highlighted the need for independent infrastructure to manage the electronic transmission of results.

Amupitan also mentioned that the commission plans to engage 450,000 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members as ad hoc staff, with a proposed payment structure for their duties. The legislative committee is considering amendments to the electoral act to support these initiatives.