INEC Seeks More Funding For 2027 Elections

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has appealed for increased and sustained funding for the commission, stating that conducting governorship elections costs more than organising the presidential and National Assembly polls combined.

Amupitan made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr Mohammed Shehu, in Abuja on Tuesday.

He explained that the visit formed part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the two federal agencies.

According to INEC’s daily bulletin, the commission is constitutionally responsible for organising elections for the offices of the President, Vice President, members of the National Assembly, state governors, state Houses of Assembly, and the area councils of the Federal Capital Territory. It also oversees continuous voter registration and the registration of political parties.

The INEC chairman noted that the commission is equally responsible for funding activities before and after elections, including legal matters and petitions arising from party primaries.

He added that INEC operates offices in all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and the 774 local government areas, with the Federal Government covering the cost of running the nationwide structure.

Amupitan also called for better welfare packages for members of staff, saying improved salaries and benefits were necessary to retain skilled personnel and maintain the commission’s effectiveness.

He disclosed that INEC had recently lost experienced employees to migration, largely due to poor remuneration, warning that the situation could worsen as more senior officials approach retirement. He added that improving staff welfare would boost morale and strengthen public trust in the electoral process.

The INEC chairman also appealed for increased investment in infrastructure, election technology and staff training, noting that such measures would help preserve institutional knowledge and improve the commission’s performance.

He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting free, fair, transparent and credible elections, adding that the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.

Amupitan further disclosed that the commission would conduct the Osun State off-cycle governorship election on August 15, 2026. He added that the recent governorship election in Ekiti State and several bye-elections had received positive assessments both within Nigeria and internationally.

In his response, RMAFC Chairman Dr Mohammed Shehu praised INEC for maintaining regular elections since 1999 and pledged the commission’s support in helping the electoral body deliver credible polls in 2027.

Shehu acknowledged the wide scope of INEC’s responsibilities at the federal, state and local government levels, describing its operational demands as enormous because of its nationwide presence.

He assured the INEC chairman and his delegation that the RMAFC would continue to work closely with the electoral commission in support of its constitutional responsibilities.

The INEC delegation included national commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, technical aides and directors, while the RMAFC chairman received them alongside the commission’s vice chairman, commissioners and senior directors.