Nigeria: INEC budgets N873.78bn for 2027 General Elections

*Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, also clarifies the proposed N873.778 billion budget required for the 2027 polls is separate from the Commission’s 2026 budget proposal, in which the electoral body plans to spend N171 billion on its operations

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed N873.78 billion estimates for the conduct of the upcoming 2027 General Elections.

ConsumerConnect reports the INEC disclosed the proposed expenditure contains significant allocations to election operations, technology and capital expenditure respectively.

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Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, Chairman of INEC, said this while presenting the proposal Thursday, February 12, 2026, to the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Electoral Matters at the National Assembly (NASS), in Abuja, FCT.

The Chairman of Chairman noted that the budget was prepared in line with Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, mandating the Commission to prepare its election budget at least a year before the next General Elections.

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Amupitan explained that the N873.778 billion required for the 2027 polls is separate from the Commission’s 2026 budget proposal, in which INEC plans to spend N171 billion on its operations, including the conduct of by-elections and off-cycle elections across the country.

The INEC Chief also affirmed that preparations for the polls have commenced in line with statutory provisions, requiring that election funds be appropriated at least 360 days before the date fixed for the exercise.

Amupitan further opined that early appropriation would ensure proper planning, and seamless nationwide conduct of the elections.

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According to him, although details of specific line items were not exhaustively presented to the Federal lawmakers, the nearly N1 trillion election budget is structured across five major components.

These, he itemised as N379.748 billion for Operational Costs; N92.317 billion for Administrative Costs; N209.206 billion for Technological Costs; N154.905 billion for Election Capital Costs; and N42.608 billion for Miscellaneous Expenses.

The Chairman of INEC as well noted that the capital component of the proposal was higher than what obtained in previous budgets.

He explained that several capital items that had not been adequately captured in earlier appropriations had been consolidated into the budget for 2027 Elections.

He disclosed the detailed budget codes for each category, and said further explanations of the proposed expenditure were contained in the documents submitted to the NASS Joint Committee.

It was also gathered that Senator Simon Bako Lalong and Hon. Adebayo Balogun chaired the joint session held Thursday.

Making further clarifications on the estimates, Prof. Amupitan said the projected election budget, however, did not include yet a fresh proposal by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

According to him, the NYSC Management is seeking an increase in allowances for Corps members serving as ad-hoc staff during elections in Nigeria.

Insight into details of INEC’s 2026 fiscal year

In regard to the 2026 fiscal year, Prof. Amupitan said the Federal Ministry of Finance had provided the Commission with a budget envelope of N140 billion.

Amupitan, however, revealed the Commission is proposing a total expenditure of N171 billion for this fiscal year.

According to him, the breakdown of the lump sum includes N109 billion for Personnel Costs; N18.7 billion for Overheads; N42.63 billion for election-related activities; and N1.4 billion for Capital Expenditure.

He contended that the “envelope budgeting system” is not suitable for the Commission’s operations.

INEC’s activities often require urgent and flexible funding, stated he.

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The Chairman of INEC further identified the lack of a dedicated communications network as a major operational challenge of the Commission.

Amupitan argued that if the Commission develops its own network infrastructure, Nigerians would be better positioned to hold it accountable for any technical failures in the electoral process.

Underlining the importance of legislative support for INEC to attain success, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) said external agencies should not dictate the budgeting framework for INEC, given the unique and sensitive nature of its mandate.

Senator Oshiomhole urged authorities to set aside the envelope budgeting system for the Commission, and that the National Assembly should work with INEC’s actual requirements to avoid future complaints of underfunding after all.

Billy Osawaru, a member of the House of Representatives from Edo State, also urged INEC’s budget to be placed on first-line charge as provided in the Constitution, with funds released in full and on time to enable proper planning and execution of its responsibilities.

The Joint Committee approved a motion recommending the “one-time release” of the Commission’s annual budget.

Besides, the Joint Committee also said it would consider the NYSC’s request for about N32 billion to increase Corps members’ allowances to N125,000 each when engaged in election duties.

Senator Simon Lalong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, assured that the National Assembly would work closely with the Commission to ensure it receives the necessary support for the successful conduct of the 2027 General Elections.

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Commenting on the issue, Rep. Bayo Balogun, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, pledged legislative support.

Balogun, however, cautioned the Commission against making promises it might not be able to fulfil in the end.

The Federal lawmaker also recalled that during the last General Elections, INEC made strong assurances about uploading results to the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal, creating the impression that results could be monitored in real-time.

He added: “Meanwhile, the IREV was not even in the Electoral Act; it was only in INEC regulations. So, be careful how you make promises.”

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