2027 Elections Budget Shock: INEC Proposes Nearly N1 Trillion to Run Nigeria’s Polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has told Nigeria’s National Assembly that it will need about N873.78 billion to organise the 2027 general elections, a dramatic increase compared to what was spent in 2023.

Professor Joash Amupitan, the INEC chairman, made the case for the funding on Thursday in Abuja, as he presented the commission’s budget proposal for next year and the projected cost of the 2027 polls.

According to the figures laid before the joint committee on electoral matters, the nearly N1 trillion estimate covers the full conduct of all elections due in 2027. By contrast, the Federal Government released N313.4 billion for the 2023 general election, highlighting the steep rise in costs.

Amupitan also asked for N171 billion to sustain INEC’s routine activities in the 2026 fiscal year. That figure would support operations such as bye‑elections and other off‑cycle polls not directly linked to the 2027 general election cycle.

Presenting the details, he said the election budget is spread across several major areas:

Operational costs — about N379.75 billion

Administrative expenses — roughly N92.32 billion

Technology needs — around N209.21 billion

Capital expenditures for the polls — N154.91 billion

Miscellaneous payments — N42.61 billion

The technology allocation, which represents a significant chunk of the total, reflects INEC’s push to modernise parts of the voting process, a move the commission says will improve transparency and efficiency.

For the 2026 operations, the breakdown includes personnel costs, overheads, election support costs and some capital expenditure. However, the Ministry of Finance had earlier set a budget ceiling of N140 billion, lower than what INEC believes is necessary.

Amupitan criticised the current envelope budgeting system, which limits flexibility, arguing that election planning often requires quick access to funds. He also highlighted the lack of a dedicated communications network for INEC, saying that having its own infrastructure would make it easier to address technical issues during polls.

The National Assembly will now review these proposals as part of its broader deliberations on the 2026 and 2027 budgets, with lawmakers expected to discuss the figures in coming sessions.