By Jeremy Fregene
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed a total of N873.8 billion for the conduct of the 2027 General Elections, alongside N171 billion as its statutory budget for 2026 operations.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this while defending the commission’s 2026 budget and presenting proposed estimates for the 2027 general election before lawmakers.
Out of the N873.8 billion proposed for the 2027 polls, N375.7 billion is earmarked for election operations; N92.3 billion for administrative costs; N209.2 billion for election technology; N154.9 billion for capital expenditure; and N41.6 billion for miscellaneous expenses.
Amupitan explained that the N209.2 billion technology allocation is intended to enhance transparency and operational efficiency in the electoral process.
Key technology provisions include N162.5 million for the upgrade of the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV); N1.2 billion for a Hybrid e-EC8A and Result Management System; N12.2 billion for printing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) under the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise; and N163.2 billion for the procurement of additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices for 2027.
Other allocations cover N2.1 billion for the security of accreditation devices and N4.5 billion for inbuilt power banks for BVAS machines.
The commission noted that it currently lacks an independent network infrastructure and urged lawmakers to reconsider the envelope budgeting system, arguing that rigid spending ceilings restrict effective election planning.
A breakdown of the N375.6 billion operational expenses shows N37.7 billion for printing ballot papers; N23.4 billion for printing result sheets; N16.9 billion for procurement of non-sensitive materials; and another N16.9 billion for election management materials and forms.
INEC also budgeted N56 billion for honorarium for ad hoc staff; N39 billion for election logistics; N37.3 billion for off-season governorship elections; N14.7 billion for Registration Area Centre (RAC) preparation; and N75.8 billion for other electoral materials.
Additional provisions include N29.4 billion for voter revalidation exercises; N4.8 billion for monitoring party conventions, congresses and primaries; N300 million for retreats for political parties; N78 million for sensitisation workshops on campaign finance; and N579.7 million for voter education jingles.
The commission further proposed N3.2 billion for nationwide CVR training for ad hoc staff; N17.8 billion for training ad hoc election officials; N892.8 million for refresher training; and N390 million for recruitment of new staff.
Lawmakers noted that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is requesting N32 billion to support the deployment of 450,000 corps members for election duties. The proposal includes a N50,000 election duty allowance per corps member, N4,500 feeding allowance, and N5,000 training allowance — amounting to N127,000 per corps member for five days.
Some lawmakers described corps members as a potentially vulnerable link in the electoral chain. However, INEC assured that the NYSC request would be carefully scrutinised.
The Senate subsequently adopted a motion urging that INEC be treated as a first-line charge to guarantee full and timely release of funds for election preparation and implementation.
Lawmakers stressed that credible elections require adequate funding and early preparation, pledging to thoroughly review the proposals to ensure no critical component is underfunded.
Amupitan also pointed out that the commission incurs substantial costs in conducting by-elections triggered by deaths or resignations of lawmakers, noting that such unforeseen polls must be anticipated in budget planning.
INEC maintained that proper funding, early appropriation and flexibility in budget execution remain essential to delivering a credible, free and fair 2027 General Election.