By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed a budget of N873.78 billion for the conduct of the 2027 general elections, with significant allocations to election operations, technology and capital expenditure.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, presented the proposal on Thursday before the joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Electoral Matters at the National Assembly.
He told lawmakers that preparations for the 2027 polls had already commenced, in line with statutory provisions requiring that funding for general elections be appropriated at least 360 days before the scheduled date.
The budget defence session was presided over by Senator Simon Bako Lalong and his House of Representatives counterpart, Hon. Adebayo Balogun.
Amupitan emphasised that early appropriation of funds was critical to ensure effective planning, timely procurement and smooth execution of the nationwide exercise.
A breakdown of the proposal shows that election operations account for the largest share, with N375.75 billion earmarked for activities directly related to the conduct of the polls.
Administrative costs are projected at N92.31 billion, while election technology is allocated N209.21 billion, underscoring the Commission’s continued reliance on digital and technology-driven processes.
INEC also proposed N154.90 billion for capital expenditure.
The four major components total N832.17 billion. In addition, N41.61 billion has been set aside for miscellaneous expenses, bringing the overall proposed budget for the 2027 general elections to N873.78 billion.
Amupitan noted that the capital component is significantly higher than in previous election budgets, explaining that several capital items not fully captured in earlier appropriations have now been consolidated into the 2027 proposal.
He provided coding classifications for the various expenditure lines, stating that election operations fall under codes 230101 to 230601; administrative costs under 230703 to 230812; technology costs under 230707 to 230811; capital expenditure under 230198 to 320201; and miscellaneous expenses under code 230725.
The INEC Chairman stated that detailed justifications and cost breakdowns for each category are contained in the accompanying document submitted to the National Assembly.
