INEC Demands N874bn War Chest for 2027 Polls Amid Funding Fury

By Linda Ike.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed a whopping N873.778 billion budget for the 2027 general elections, separate from its N171 billion 2026 operations plan.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan presented the figure to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters, breaking it down into operational (N379.7bn), administrative (N92.3bn), tech (N209.2bn), capital (N154.9bn), and miscellaneous (N42.6bn) costs.

The projection excludes NYSC’s push for higher ad-hoc allowances.

Amupitan slammed the N140bn envelope budget cap as inadequate, urging flexible funding and a dedicated comms network to boost accountability.

Sen. Adams Oshiomhole called for ditching envelopes; Hon. Billy Osawaru pushed first-line charge status.

The committee backed one-time budget releases and will review NYSC’s N32bn demand.

Senator Simon Along and Hon Bayo Balogun pledged support but warned INEC against overpromising, citing 2023 IREV portal glitches.