The Independent National Electoral Commission has outlined a projected total expenditure of N873,778,401,602.08 for the organisation of the 2027 general elections.
Joash Amupitan made this disclosure on Thursday while presenting the Commission’s 2026 budget proposal together with a detailed cost breakdown for the 2027 polls before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters.
According to the breakdown, the cost for Election Operational activities is estimated at N375,748,195,271.47, while Election Administrative expenses are projected at N92,311,591,396.58.
The Commission has also allocated N209,205,589,977.70 for Election Technology, covering electronic systems and associated infrastructure, while Election Capital expenditures are projected at N154,904,529,641.94.
Combined, these four budget components total N832,169,906,287.69.
INEC has further set aside N41,608,495,314.39 for Miscellaneous Expenses, bringing the grand total for conducting the 2027 general elections to N873,778,401,602.08.
Amupitan clarified that the proposed election budget is separate from the Commission’s recommended N171 billion allocation for the 2026 fiscal year, which is intended to support routine operations, including by-elections and off-cycle polls.
He noted that the submission is in accordance with Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires the Commission to present its budget for general elections at least one year before the polls.
During the presentation, lawmakers expressed concerns regarding funding arrangements and the implementation of certain provisions in the amended Electoral Act, particularly the aspect involving electronic transmission of results.
Samuel Lalong, Chairman of the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters, said the National Assembly would conduct a thorough review of the budget proposal before approving what it considers sufficient to ensure smooth nationwide operations.
He emphasised that, while INEC submits its cost estimates, the constitutional responsibility for approving and appropriating funds lies with the legislature.
The committee also mentioned plans to review funding for members of the National Youth Service Corps who are to be deployed for election duties, following a request from the scheme seeking increased financial support.
Under the budget proposal, each corps member is to receive N127,000, in addition to N4,500 for feeding and N5,000 for a five-day training programme.
Approximately 450,000 corps members are expected to be deployed for the upcoming general elections.
The budget submission comes amid debates over the Senate’s amendment of the Electoral Act 2022, which had sparked controversy after initially rejecting a proposal to make real-time electronic transmission of results mandatory.
The controversy began on February 4 when the Senate passed the amendment bill after extensive deliberations, including a provision reducing the timeline for INEC to publish a notice of election from 360 days to 180 days.
Central to the disagreement was Clause 60(3), which would require presiding officers to transmit polling unit results electronically to INEC’s Result Viewing portal in real time after completing Form EC8A.
This clause was intended to make electronic transmission a legal obligation rather than a discretionary action.
However, the Senate rejected this provision, retaining Section 60(5), which allows INEC to determine the method for transmitting results.
The Senate’s decision sparked protests from civil society groups at the National Assembly, led by Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and later joined by former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives adopted the clause mandating real-time transmission of results.
Under mounting pressure, the Senate convened an emergency plenary on Tuesday, February 10, where it reversed its earlier stance, approving electronic transmission of results to the IReV portal while allowing manual collation as a backup in case of technological failure.
The amendment, sponsored by Tahir Monguno and supported by Minority Leader Abba Moro, was passed by voice vote.
Both chambers of the National Assembly are now expected to reconcile their differing versions of the amendment bill.
Discover more from LN247
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
