2027 polls: FG earmarks N1.01trn for INEC in 2026 budget

 

The Federal Government has proposed a sum of N1.013 trillion for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the 2026 Appropriation Bill, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Details from the budget document submitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu show that INEC is to receive N1,013,778,401,602 to support election preparations and related activities.

President Tinubu presented a total budget estimate of N58.18 trillion, christened the “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity.” The proposal projects N34.33 trillion in revenue, while total expenditure stands at N58.18 trillion, including N15.52 trillion allocated for debt servicing.

INEC has consistently advocated early and adequate funding, arguing that timely releases are crucial for the conduct of credible and transparent elections.

The Electoral Act 2022 backs this position. Section 3(3) of the Act stipulates that funds for any general election must be released to the commission not later than one year before the election.

The section reads: “The election funds due to the Commission for any general elections are to be released to the Commission not later than one year before the next general election.”

In 2025, the National Assembly approved an upward review of INEC’s budget, increasing it from N40 billion to N140 billion.

For the 2023 general elections, INEC spent N313.4 billion. Although N355 billion was approved for the polls, the commission disclosed in its 2023 General Election Report that only N313.4 billion had been released as of September 2023.

The proposed allocation is expected to strengthen INEC’s capacity to plan early and deliver a credible electoral process in 2027.