After #873 Billion Proposed Budget, INEC Chairman Seeks Increased Funding Ahead of 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, revealing that conducting governorship elections alone costs more than the combined expenses of presidential and National Assembly elections.
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. He described the meeting as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between the two federal agencies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the INEC Chairman, the commission’s constitutional responsibilities extend beyond conducting elections to include continuous voter registration, political party registration, and handling pre-election and post-election matters, including petitions arising from party primaries.
He noted that INEC operates offices in all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and the country’s 774 local government areas, with the Federal Government bearing the full cost of maintaining the nationwide structure.
Amupitan also called for improved welfare packages for INEC personnel, saying better remuneration is essential to retaining skilled staff and ensuring institutional efficiency. He disclosed that the commission has lost experienced personnel to migration in recent years due to poor remuneration and warned that more retirements could widen the existing skills gap.
He further appealed for increased investment in infrastructure, electoral technology and staff training, stressing that these are critical to preserving institutional knowledge and strengthening the commission’s capacity to deliver credible elections.
Reaffirming INEC’s commitment to free, fair and transparent elections, Amupitan announced that the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state House of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
He also disclosed that the commission would conduct the Osun State governorship election on August 15, 2026, adding that the recent governorship election in Ekiti State and several bye-elections had received commendation from both local and international observers.
Responding, RMAFC Chairman Dr Mohammed Shehu commended INEC for its consistency in conducting elections since 1999 and pledged the commission’s support toward ensuring credible elections in 2027.
Shehu acknowledged the enormous scope of INEC’s responsibilities across the country and assured the electoral body of continued collaboration, stating that the doors of the RMAFC would remain open to support the commission in delivering on its constitutional mandate.
Source: Vanguard Newspapers