INEC Raises Alarm Over 2027 Election Costs, Seeks More Funding

According to Ireporter Online, Amupitan made the appeal during a visit to the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr Mohammed Shehu, in Abuja, where he highlighted the growing financial demands associated with Nigeria’s electoral processes.

The INEC chairman disclosed that the cost of organising governorship elections is higher than the combined expenditure for presidential and National Assembly elections, stressing that adequate funding is crucial for effective planning and execution of electoral activities.

Amupitan explained that INEC’s responsibilities go beyond conducting general elections, noting that the commission is also responsible for elections into the offices of the President, Vice President, National Assembly members, state governors, state lawmakers and the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory.

He added that the commission handles continuous voter registration, political party registration and several pre-election and post-election responsibilities, including legal disputes and petitions arising from elections and party primaries.

According to him, the broad mandate of the electoral body makes predictable funding essential to ensure proper preparation and smooth conduct of elections nationwide.

Amupitan further revealed that INEC maintains offices across the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and all 774 local government areas, with the Federal Government currently responsible for funding the commission’s operations and infrastructure.

He stressed that improved financial support would enable INEC to strengthen logistics, ensure timely deployment of electoral materials, expand technological capacity and overcome challenges associated with nationwide elections.

The INEC chairman also expressed concerns over the welfare of the commission’s workforce, noting that inadequate remuneration has contributed to the loss of experienced personnel to migration and could create a future shortage of skilled staff.

He emphasised the need for better welfare packages, improved infrastructure, regular training and increased investment in technology to preserve institutional knowledge and boost the commission’s ability to conduct credible elections.

Amupitan assured Nigerians that INEC remained committed to organising free, fair, transparent and credible elections, adding that the commission was already making preparations for the 2027 electoral cycle.

He disclosed that presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state House of Assembly elections are expected to hold on February 6, 2027.

The INEC chairman also announced that the commission would conduct an off-cycle governorship election in Osun State on August 15, 2026, adding that recent elections conducted by the commission, including the Ekiti governorship election and various bye-elections, received positive feedback from observers.

Responding, the RMAFC chairman, Dr Mohammed Shehu, commended INEC for its role in sustaining Nigeria’s democracy since the return to civilian rule in 1999.

Shehu pledged the commission’s support towards ensuring that INEC successfully carries out its constitutional responsibilities ahead of the 2027 elections.

He acknowledged the enormous operational demands placed on INEC due to its nationwide structure and assured the electoral body of continued collaboration to strengthen the democratic process.

Amupitan was accompanied during the visit by INEC national commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, technical aides and senior directors, while Shehu received the delegation alongside RMAFC commissioners and other top officials.