The Nigerian Senate committee on electoral matters has formally requested an additional ₦30 billion for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to aid preparations for the 2027 general elections, lawmakers said on Tuesday. This request comes as INEC’s comprehensive budget proposal for the polls nears ₦874 billion.
INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan had earlier presented the commission’s budget estimate of ₦873.78 billion to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters. The figure is significantly higher than allocations for previous general elections and reflects planned investments in logistics, technology, operational costs, capital expenditure, and miscellaneous services.
Lawmakers involved in the review process said the additional ₦30 billion is aimed at strengthening logistics to improve efficiency, including deployment of election materials, voter accreditation technology, and other operational needs. A Senate committee source explained that the supplementary request is intended to address areas not fully covered in the initial proposal, ensuring a seamless electoral process across all states.
Senators have emphasised the importance of early budget appropriation, noting that Nigerian electoral law requires funds for general elections to be appropriated well in advance. INEC has argued that early funding will enable the commission to begin intensive planning, procurement, and nationwide mobilisation more than 360 days before the elections.
The Senate’s budget discussions occur against the backdrop of broad reforms under the new Electoral Act, 2026, signed into law to govern the 2027 polls. The act introduces a dedicated fund for INEC, mandates electronic transmission of results with manual backup, and expands campaign finance thresholds for various elective offices.
INEC’s proposed ₦873.78 billion budget breaks down into several key components, including operational costs, technology investments such as Permanent Voter Card printing and system upgrades, and capital projects designed to support efficient election conduct nationwide.
As deliberations continue, some analysts and civil society figures have called for careful scrutiny of the projected costs and the added ₦30 billion, urging that all resources be deployed transparently to boost public confidence in electoral integrity and avoid delays that could hamper preparations.
