INEC Proposes N873.78bn for 2027 Elections Budget

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) proposed a budget of N873.78 billion for the conduct of the 2027 general elections and an additional N171 billion for its operations in the 2026 fiscal year. INEC Chairman Prof.

Joash Amupitan presented this budget proposal to the National Assembly's Joint Committee on Electoral Matters in Abuja. The estimated budget for the 2027 elections includes operational costs of N379.75 billion, administrative costs of N92.32 billion, technological costs of N209.21 billion, electoral capital costs of N154.91 billion, and miscellaneous expenses of N42.61 billion.

The proposal complies with the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates INEC to prepare its election budget at least one year before general elections. The Ministry of Finance provided a budget envelope of N140 billion, which Amupitan argued is insufficient for INEC's operational needs.

The Joint Committee approved a motion for timely release of INEC's budget and pledged to consider the NYSC's request for N32 billion to increase allowances for corps members engaged as ad hoc election staff.