INEC Seeks Better Funding, Staff Welfare Ahead of 2027 General Elections

By Harriet Tornguvan 

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has called for increased and sustainable funding for the electoral body, stressing that adequate financial support and improved staff welfare are critical to the successful conduct of the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Mohammed Bello Shehu, in Abuja, where both agencies pledged closer collaboration to strengthen Nigeria's electoral process.

The INEC chairman said the Commission's constitutional responsibilities extend beyond conducting presidential, governorship and legislative elections to include continuous voter registration, political party registration and the management of pre-election and post-election matters.

According to him, the financial demands of the Commission have continued to rise, noting that governorship elections alone cost more than the combined expenses of presidential and National Assembly polls. 

He added that INEC also bears the cost of handling election petitions arising from party primaries and other electoral processes.

Amupitan explained that INEC operates offices in the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and all 774 local government areas, with the Federal Government funding the Commission's extensive nationwide operations.

He also appealed for improved welfare packages for INEC personnel, warning that inadequate remuneration has contributed to the loss of experienced staff to migration while many others are approaching retirement.

He said better salaries and incentives would help retain skilled professionals, preserve institutional knowledge, improve staff morale and reinforce public confidence in the credibility of elections.

The INEC chairman further advocated increased investment in infrastructure, electoral technology and personnel training, describing them as essential to strengthening the Commission's operational capacity ahead of future elections.

Reaffirming INEC's commitment to conducting free, fair, transparent and credible elections, Amupitan announced that the Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.

He also disclosed that the Commission is preparing for the Osun State off-cycle governorship election slated for August 15, 2026, adding that the recent Ekiti governorship election and several bye-elections had attracted commendation from both local and international observers.

Responding, RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Bello Shehu, praised INEC for sustaining democratic elections since 1999 and acknowledged the enormous responsibilities placed on the electoral body across the country.

He assured the Commission of RMAFC's continued support and expressed readiness to deepen collaboration to ensure INEC is adequately positioned to conduct credible elections in 2027.

The meeting was attended by INEC National Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, technical aides and directors, while the RMAFC delegation included the Vice Chairman, commissioners and senior directors.