INEC Deploys Technology to Track Campaign Spending Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will deploy technology-driven measures to monitor campaign financing and prevent political parties and candidates from circumventing spending limits ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The commission’s disclosure comes ahead of the commencement of campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections on August 19, 2026, amid concerns over compliance with the financial limits prescribed by the 2026 Electoral Act.

INEC Deputy Director in charge of Publicity, Wilfred Osilama Ifogah, said the commission had already put structures in place to track political parties’ finances and campaign expenditure through its Election and Political Party Monitoring Department. He said INEC was prepared to enforce compliance with the spending limits contained in the new law.

The National Commissioner and Chairman of the Election and Party Monitoring Committee, Dr Baba Bila, said the commission was strengthening transparency and accountability through technology-driven reforms, including the Political Finance Reporting and Audit System (PFRAS), designed to facilitate the submission, monitoring and auditing of political finance reports by political parties.

Under the 2026 Electoral Act, campaign spending limits have been significantly increased. The presidential spending ceiling was raised from N5 billion to N10 billion, while the limit for governorship candidates rose from N1 billion to N3 billion. Senatorial candidates can spend up to N500 million, House of Representatives candidates N250 million, State House of Assembly candidates N100 million, Area Council candidates N60 million and councillorship candidates N10 million.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said it would comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act. Its Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said the party would ensure that its candidates operated within the financial limits prescribed by law.

However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressed doubts about the practicality of enforcing campaign spending limits, describing efforts to curb election expenditure as difficult to achieve. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, cited the rising costs of billboards, transportation, accommodation, security and logistics as factors that could make compliance challenging.

The Labour Party, on its part, said it was not concerned about breaching the spending ceiling, claiming that it had adopted a campaign strategy focused on careful management of party and candidates’ resources. Its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said the party would ensure compliance with the law throughout the campaign period.

Meanwhile, investigations have shown that political actors have in the past devised ways of spending beyond statutory limits, including sponsoring activities through organisations and other platforms not directly linked to political parties or candidates.

With campaigns set to commence on August 19, INEC’s technology-driven monitoring system is expected to face its first major test as political parties and candidates begin spending heavily to mobilise support for the 2027 elections.