The Independent National Electoral Commission has called for increased and sustained funding, improved staff welfare and greater investment in electoral infrastructure as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, in Abuja. He said deeper collaboration between both institutions was vital to safeguarding Nigeria’s electoral process.

Amupitan explained that INEC’s constitutional mandate goes far beyond the conduct of presidential, governorship and legislative polls. The Commission, he noted, is also responsible for continuous voter registration, the registration and regulation of political parties and a wide range of pre-election and post-election activities, all of which demand predictable and adequate funding.

He disclosed that the cost of conducting governorship elections in multiple states now exceeds the combined expenditure on presidential and National Assembly polls. Beyond election day logistics, INEC also bears the financial burden of managing disputes and petitions, including those arising from party primaries.

The chairman stressed that INEC maintains offices in the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and all 774 local government areas, with the Federal Government solely responsible for funding these nationwide operations. This, he argued, makes a compelling case for a more robust and sustainable funding framework.

Amupitan raised concerns over staff welfare, warning that inadequate remuneration and limited incentives were driving experienced personnel to seek opportunities abroad. He cautioned that a widening skills gap could emerge as senior staff approach retirement, potentially weakening institutional memory.

Improved welfare, he said, would boost morale, enhance retention of skilled workers and reinforce public confidence in the electoral system. He also urged greater investment in infrastructure, electoral technology and continuous training to modernise operations and ensure that lessons from past elections are not lost.

Reaffirming INEC’s commitment to free, fair, transparent and credible elections, Amupitan outlined the electoral timetable, with presidential and National Assembly elections fixed for January 16, 2027, and governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls scheduled for February 6, 2027. He added that the Osun State governorship election would hold on August 15, 2026, noting that recent off-cycle and by-elections had drawn commendation at home and abroad.

In his response, RMAFC Chairman, Dr. Shehu, praised INEC’s consistency in managing elections since 1999 and pledged continued support to ensure credible polls in 2027. He acknowledged the scale of INEC’s responsibilities and promised sustained collaboration in line with the Commission’s constitutional mandate.