INEC Warns Funding Delays Could Disrupt 2027 Election Preparations

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on the Federal Government to promptly release outstanding funds under its 2026 budget to facilitate smooth preparations for the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made the appeal on Tuesday while addressing a World Press Conference on the commission’s preparations for the elections.

Amupitan said adequate and timely funding was essential to the successful execution of the commission’s electoral activities, stressing that the 2027 elections would require “robust financial backing and fiscal discipline.”

According to him, the Federal Government had continued to release statutory budgetary allocations to INEC, which had enabled the commission to meet international vendor obligations, fund the production of election technology and upgrade critical infrastructure.

However, he said the commission was still awaiting the release of outstanding funds to prevent disruptions to its preparations.

“These funds have enabled us to meet international vendor obligations, finance the production of critical election technology, upgrade fiscal infrastructure, and sustain multi-stakeholder operational deployments nationwide,” Amupitan said.

“However, we expect the prompt release of the remaining budgets to ensure seamless execution of the activities,” he added.

The funding request comes amid INEC’s broader financial requirements for the 2027 general elections, with the presidential election scheduled for January.

While defending its 2026 budget before the National Assembly in February, INEC disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Finance had provided a budget envelope of N140 billion, against the commission’s total proposed expenditure of N171 billion.

The proposed 2026 expenditure included N109 billion for personnel costs, N18.7 billion for overheads, N42.63 billion for election-related activities and N1.4 billion for capital expenditure.

INEC had also informed the National Assembly that it would require N873.78 billion to conduct the 2027 general elections.

The projected 2027 election expenditure comprises N379.75 billion for operational costs, N92.32 billion for administrative expenses, N209.21 billion for technology, N154.91 billion for election capital expenditure and N42.61 billion for miscellaneous expenses.

The commission has repeatedly raised concerns over funding as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.

In June, INEC said it had yet to receive budgetary allocations specifically for the 2027 elections, although it maintained that preparations were proceeding in line with the electoral timetable.

Amupitan said the commission had commenced procurement and other preparatory activities, including the acquisition of 57,000 new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices, additional voting cubicles and operational vehicles.

He added that INEC was also constructing dedicated BVAS storage facilities, renovating offices across the country and upgrading its information and communications technology infrastructure.