The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had projected N873.78 billion for the 2027 general elections, covering election operations, administration, technology, capital expenditure and other related costs. The commission has so far received about N500 billion, leaving roughly N371 billion outstanding.
The funding gap has become a concern as INEC intensifies preparations for the elections, with several activities requiring substantial financial commitments ahead of election day.
Among the areas affected by the funding situation are the production and distribution of Permanent Voter Cards, procurement of electoral materials, deployment of technology, payment of contractors, staff training and nationwide logistics.
INEC has repeatedly stressed the importance of timely funding to allow the commission to plan and execute its activities without disruptions. In August, the commission confirmed that only part of its proposed election budget had been released, with about 60 per cent received at the time.
The commission’s projected N873.78 billion election budget was presented to the National Assembly earlier in the year by INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan. The proposal included about N375.75 billion for election operations, N92.31 billion for administrative costs, N209.21 billion for election technology and about N154.90 billion for capital expenditure.
The remaining funds are particularly important as INEC moves into the more intensive stages of its preparations. The commission is expected to procure additional election equipment, including replacement BVAS devices that were damaged, lost or not recovered from previous elections.
Logistics also remain a major component of the preparations, considering that the presidential and National Assembly elections will take place nationwide. Electoral materials and personnel will have to be deployed across thousands of polling locations and electoral areas.
INEC has also identified security as a critical part of election planning, making timely access to funds important for coordinating logistics and other arrangements with relevant security agencies.
The commission’s official election calendar lists January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, followed by the governorship and State House of Assembly elections on February 6, 2027.
The current funding concerns come against the background of INEC’s earlier warning that delays in financing could affect the smooth implementation of its electoral timetable.
For the electoral body, the issue is therefore not simply the size of the election budget but the timing of the release of approved funds. With preparations already underway and the election date approaching, access to the outstanding resources is expected to determine how efficiently INEC can complete procurement, logistics, technology deployment and other critical preparations.
The commission has continued its preparations despite the funding gap, but the outstanding N371 billion remains a significant issue as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections.
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