INEC Yet to Receive Full Funding for 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reported that it has not yet received the full budget necessary for the conduct of the 2027 general elections, which is scheduled for five months from now. Victoria Eta-Messi, the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, stated that only part of the proposed budget of N873.78 billion has been released, with the commission having received 60% of the funds so far.

According to Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, the funds should be released no later than six months before the elections. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has proposed that funding should be drawn directly from the Federation Account, with discussions ongoing.

The budget, which includes allocations for election operations, technology, and capital expenditure, was structured under four major heads: Election Operations Cost (N375.75 billion), Election Administrative Cost (N92.31 billion), Election Technology Cost (N209.21 billion), and Election Capital Cost (N154.90 billion), totaling N873,778,401,602.08. The presidential and National Assembly elections are set for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will occur on February 6, 2027.