The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, has called for increased and sustained funding for the commission ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission in Abuja, where he said the cost of conducting governorship elections alone exceeds the combined cost of the presidential and National Assembly elections.

He explained that INEC’s constitutional responsibilities include conducting elections at the federal, state and Federal Capital Territory levels, continuous voter registration, political party registration, and handling election-related legal matters.

The INEC chairman noted that the commission operates offices in all 36 states, the FCT and the country’s 774 local government areas, with the Federal Government bearing the full cost of its nationwide operations.

He also called for improved welfare packages for INEC staff, warning that inadequate remuneration has contributed to the loss of experienced personnel through migration and could create a wider skills gap as more workers retire.

Amupitan stressed the need for greater investment in infrastructure, electoral technology and staff training to strengthen the commission’s capacity to deliver credible elections.

He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting free, fair and transparent elections, adding that the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.

Responding, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Dr. Mohammed Shehu, commended INEC for its consistency in conducting elections since 1999 and pledged the commission’s support to help ensure successful elections in 2027.