INEC Urges Release of Outstanding Funds Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called for the prompt release of outstanding funds under its 2026 budget, saying timely financing is critical to preparations for the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made the appeal on Tuesday while addressing a World Press Conference and National Stakeholders’ Meeting in Abuja to mark 100 days to the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan said the Federal Government had continued to release statutory budgetary allocations to the commission but that some funds remained outstanding.

He said the scale of the electoral exercise required robust financial backing and disciplined management of available resources.

“Executing a national election of this magnitude requires robust financial backing and fiscal discipline,” Amupitan said.

According to the INEC chairman, funds already released had enabled the commission to meet international vendor obligations, finance the production of critical election technology, upgrade infrastructure and sustain multi-stakeholder operations nationwide.

He, however, said the commission was expecting the remaining funds to be released promptly to ensure the seamless execution of its ongoing activities.

INEC's funding concerns come amid its preparations for the 2027 elections, for which the commission has projected ₦873.78 billion. The proposed election budget covers operational costs, administration, technology, capital expenditure and miscellaneous expenses.

The ₦873.78 billion figure is separate from INEC's 2026 operational budget. During its 2026 budget defence, the commission proposed about ₦171 billion in total expenditure for the year, while the Federal Ministry of Finance provided a budget envelope of about ₦140 billion.

Earlier in June, INEC said it was yet to receive budgetary allocations specifically for the 2027 elections, although preparations were continuing in line with the electoral timetable. By August, the commission said about 60 per cent of the funds for the 2027 elections had been received, with the balance still outstanding.

The commission has continued with several preparatory activities, including procurement of additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices, voting cubicles and operational vehicles.

Amupitan said INEC was also constructing dedicated BVAS storage facilities, renovating offices across the country and upgrading its information and communications technology infrastructure.

The commission's appeal comes as the 2027 elections enter the final 100-day countdown. INEC's published timetable schedules the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, while the governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for March 6, 2027.

Amupitan has continued to stress the importance of adequate resources for the deployment of electoral personnel and materials, technology, logistics and other activities required for the elections.

The commission is expected to continue its preparations as it awaits the release of the outstanding funds.