The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has appealed for increased and sustained funding for the electoral body ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying the cost of conducting governorship elections alone is higher than the combined cost of the presidential and National Assembly elections.
Amupitan made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr Mohammed Shehu, in Abuja, where he called for stronger financial support to enable INEC discharge its constitutional responsibilities effectively.
According to a statement published in INEC’s daily bulletin, the commission’s chairman said the visit was part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between the two federal agencies and ensure adequate funding for future elections.
He explained that INEC’s responsibilities go beyond conducting elections, noting that the commission oversees several activities throughout the electoral cycle that require substantial financial resources.
According to him, the commission is constitutionally responsible for organising elections into the offices of the President, Vice President, members of the National Assembly, state governors, state Houses of Assembly and the six Area Council chairmen and councillors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In addition, he said INEC conducts continuous voter registration, registers political parties and manages several other electoral processes before, during and after elections.
Amupitan noted that the commission also bears the financial burden of pre-election and post-election activities, including legal matters arising from political party primaries and election petitions.
He said these responsibilities require stable and predictable funding if the commission is to continue delivering credible elections.
The INEC chairman disclosed that one of the biggest financial challenges facing the commission is the cost of governorship elections.
He said many Nigerians assume that presidential elections are the most expensive to organise because of their national importance.
However, he explained that governorship elections across the country require even greater financial commitments.
According to him, organising governorship elections in the states costs more than conducting the presidential and National Assembly elections combined because of the logistics, deployment of personnel, election materials and other operational requirements involved.
Although he did not provide detailed financial figures, he stressed that the increasing cost of elections has made improved government funding more important than ever.
Amupitan also highlighted the commission’s extensive nationwide presence, saying INEC maintains offices in all 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory and all 774 local government areas.
He noted that the Federal Government currently bears the full cost of maintaining these offices, including staff salaries, office administration, logistics and election-related operations.
The INEC chairman also called for improved welfare packages for members of staff, warning that inadequate remuneration is contributing to the loss of experienced personnel.
He said several skilled workers have left the commission in recent years in search of better opportunities, including employment outside the country.
According to him, the migration of experienced staff poses a serious challenge because the commission risks losing valuable institutional knowledge built over many years.
He added that the situation could worsen as more senior officials approach retirement.
Amupitan stressed that improving staff welfare would not only help retain experienced personnel but also boost workers’ morale and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
He urged the government to invest more in staff training and capacity building to ensure the commission continues to develop the skilled workforce needed to conduct credible elections.
The chairman also called for increased funding for infrastructure and electoral technology.
He said modern election management requires continuous investment in technology, equipment and innovation to improve transparency, efficiency and public trust.
According to him, technological advancement has become essential in election administration, particularly with the introduction of electronic voter accreditation, digital transmission of results and other innovations aimed at improving the credibility of elections.
He maintained that sustained investment in these areas would help preserve institutional knowledge while ensuring that INEC remains capable of meeting the demands of future elections.
Despite the financial challenges, Amupitan assured Nigerians that the commission remains committed to conducting free, fair, transparent and credible elections.
He disclosed that preparations for the 2027 general elections have already commenced.
According to him, the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will be held on February 6, 2027.
Before the general elections, INEC will also conduct the Osun State governorship election on August 15, 2026.
He said the commission is making the necessary preparations to ensure the off-cycle election is conducted successfully.
Amupitan added that INEC’s recent conduct of the Ekiti State governorship election and several bye-elections across the country received commendation from both local and international observers.
He said the positive assessments demonstrate the commission’s determination to improve election management and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
Responding, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Dr Mohammed Shehu, commended INEC for maintaining regular elections since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
He acknowledged the enormous responsibilities placed on the commission, particularly given its nationwide operations across the federal, state and local government levels.
According to him, managing elections in a country as large and diverse as Nigeria requires substantial human and financial resources.
Shehu assured the INEC chairman that the RMAFC would continue to support the commission in carrying out its constitutional mandate.
He pledged continued collaboration between both agencies to ensure INEC receives the necessary support to organise credible elections in 2027.
He also assured the visiting delegation that the commission’s doors remain open for further discussions on issues relating to election funding and institutional development.
The meeting was attended by several senior officials from both organisations.
The INEC chairman was accompanied by national commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, technical advisers and directors.
The RMAFC chairman received the delegation alongside the commission’s vice chairman, federal commissioners and senior management staff.
As preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, INEC’s request for increased funding highlights the growing financial demands of conducting elections in Africa’s most populous democracy.