Amupitan Seeks Direct Federation Account Funding for INEC
By Nafiu Muhammad Lema
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has called for the commission to receive direct funding from the Federation Account, arguing that such a move would strengthen its financial independence and improve the credibility of elections in Nigeria.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja during the public presentation of Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023), a two-volume book written by ThisDay Managing Director, Eniola Bello, Amupitan said the current funding process limits INEC’s operational efficiency.
According to him, although the Constitution places INEC’s funding on the first-line charge, the commission still depends on the annual budget approval process and the federal government’s envelope budgeting system, making it difficult to operate independently.
He noted that INEC’s responsibilities go beyond organising presidential and National Assembly elections, as the commission also conducts governorship and state assembly elections, registers and regulates political parties, and maintains the national voters’ register.
Amupitan explained that governorship and state assembly elections are often more expensive to conduct than presidential elections, yet the financial burden remains on the Federal Government through the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
“Experience over the years has shown that as long as INEC is still subject to the normal envelope system and the processes of appropriation, having to go to the National Assembly, it is very difficult to operate in such a situation without wasting your time.”
He argued that the existing constitutional provisions are insufficient to guarantee genuine financial autonomy for the electoral body.
“INEC should come as part of the Federation Account so that we can have seamless operations and what we call operational efficiency.”
The INEC chairman also advocated further amendments to the Electoral Act to give the commission stronger oversight over political parties, saying enhanced regulatory powers would improve compliance with party constitutions, the Electoral Act and the Constitution.
He disclosed that the commission is considering introducing a mediation mechanism to resolve internal party disputes within three months, instead of allowing prolonged court cases.
Amupitan further proposed that all political party-related disputes should be concluded at least one year before general elections to prevent last-minute litigation from disrupting the electoral process.
