Senate Seeks Additional N30billion For INEC’s Conduct Of 2027 Election After Initial N873billion
Senate Seeks Additional N30billion For INEC’s Conduct Of 2027 Election After Initial N873billion
INEC had initially proposed a budget of N873 billion for the exercise. However, the Senate committee is requesting that the allocation be increased by N30 billion to enhance the commission’s preparations.
The Senate Committee on Electoral Matters is seeking an additional N30billion for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to support the conduct of the 2027 general elections.
INEC had initially proposed a budget of N873 billion for the exercise. However, the Senate committee is requesting that the allocation be increased by N30 billion to enhance the commission’s preparations.
The proposed increase is tied to logistics aimed at ensuring greater efficiency in the electoral process.
According to the report, lawmakers believe the additional funds would strengthen operational capacity and address anticipated logistical challenges ahead of the nationwide polls.
The development comes as preparations gradually begin for the 2027 general elections, with stakeholders emphasizing the need for adequate funding to guarantee a smooth and credible electoral process.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) proposed a staggering ₦873.78 billion budget to conduct the 2027 general elections, a sharp increase from the ₦313.4 billion released for the 2023 polls.
The commission also requested ₦171billion to cover its 2026 operations, including bye-elections and off-season polls, warning that the ₦140 billion provided by the Ministry of Finance is insufficient to meet urgent and flexible funding needs.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, presented the figures to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters in Abuja, saying the proposals comply with the Electoral Act 2022, which requires election budgets to be prepared at least a year in advance.
The 2027 budget covers operational, administrative, technological, election capital, and miscellaneous expenses, while the 2026 operations proposal includes personnel costs, overheads, election-related activities, and capital expenditure.
The massive scale of the budget has raised concerns about funding efficiency and transparency, with questions emerging over whether INEC can deliver credible elections while managing such huge sums.
