Electoral body cites rising costs, technology upgrades and legal compliance as key drivers of sharp increase from 2023 poll budget.

Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed a massive ₦873.78 billion budget to conduct the 2027 general elections, representing a sharp increase from the ₦313.4 billion released for the 2023 polls.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, presented the proposal before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters in Abuja, stating that the commission is complying with the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates that election budgets be prepared at least one year ahead of general elections.

In addition to the 2027 election budget, the commission is seeking ₦171 billion to fund its 2026 operations, including bye-elections and off-season governorship polls.

Breakdown of 2027 Election Budget (₦873.78bn)

INEC outlined the allocation as follows:

Operational costs: ₦379.75 billion

Administrative costs: ₦92.32 billion

Technological costs: ₦209.21 billion

Election capital costs: ₦154.91 billion

Miscellaneous expenses: ₦42.61 billion

The commission attributed the substantial increase to expanded operational demands, inflationary pressures, technological enhancements, and the need to strengthen logistics and infrastructure nationwide.

2026 Operations Budget (₦171bn)

For 2026, INEC requested funds to cover routine activities and election-related engagements:

Personnel costs: ₦109 billion

Overheads: ₦18.7 billion

Election-related activities: ₦42.63 billion

Capital expenditure: ₦1.4 billion

However, the Ministry of Finance reportedly provided a budget envelope of only ₦140 billion for 2026 — ₦31 billion short of INEC’s proposal.

The commission warned that the allocation falls short of its projected needs, stressing the importance of urgent, flexible and adequate funding to ensure seamless preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Lawmakers are expected to scrutinise the proposal in the coming weeks as deliberations begin on funding one of Nigeria’s most consequential electoral cycles.