February 24, 2026 | SUNTV Global
The Senate Committee on Electoral Matters is calling for an additional ₦30 billion to supplement the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) budget for the 2027 general elections, aiming to strengthen preparations for the nationwide polls.
INEC had originally requested ₦873 billion for the 2027 elections, a massive leap from the ₦313 billion spent on the 2023 polls. The Senate now wants to increase this allocation to ensure smoother logistics, better operational efficiency, and enhanced capacity to tackle anticipated challenges.
According to lawmakers, the additional funding is crucial to guarantee a credible, transparent, and well-managed electoral process. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, presented the figures to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters in Abuja, noting that the proposals align with the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates election budgets to be prepared at least a year in advance.
The proposed 2027 budget covers a wide range of expenses, including operational, administrative, technological, and capital costs. Separately, INEC also requested ₦171 billion for its 2026 activities, covering bye-elections, off-season polls, personnel costs, and other essential operations, warning that the ₦140 billion currently provided by the Ministry of Finance is inadequate.
While the push for increased funding underscores the urgency of preparing for the next elections, critics have raised questions about budget efficiency and transparency, asking whether INEC can deliver credible elections while managing such unprecedented sums.
