The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has presented a budget estimate of N873.77 billion to the National Assembly for the conduct of the 2027 General Elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, led the commission’s management team to a joint sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters, chaired by Simon Lalong and Bayo Balogun.
The commission also submitted its 2025 budget performance report and proposed N171.91 billion as its 2026 budget estimate.
Presenting the proposal, Amupitan stressed the need to strengthen the financial independence of the electoral body. He urged the lawmakers to adopt a first-line charge mechanism for INEC’s statutory allocation and to discontinue the envelope budgeting system.
Members of the joint committee assured the commission of legislative backing, but urged it to remain focused strictly on its constitutional mandate of conducting free, fair and credible elections.
The Lawmakers cautioned the commission against venturing into projects outside its core responsibilities, including the construction or funding of hospitals and other non-electoral initiatives.
The committee also indicated it may review the proposed election budget upward to accommodate a projected increase in the allowances of about 450,000 National Youth Service Corps members expected to serve as ad hoc staff during the elections.
