The Nigerian Senate, through its Committee on Electoral Matters, has asked for an additional ₦30 billion to be allocated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to support preparations and logistics for the 2027 general elections.
The request comes on the back of INEC’s own substantial budget proposal, which projects a total of ₦873.78 billion for the conduct of the 2027 polls — a figure the electoral body presented to the National Assembly as part of its planning for the nationwide elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, tabled the commission’s financial estimates before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters, breaking down the nearly ₦874 billion into items such as operational costs, administrative expenses, technology deployment and capital outlays.
While INEC is constitutionally required to prepare its election budget well ahead of the polls, lawmakers from the Senate committee have signaled that the original proposal may need reinforcement through supplemental funding to cover logistical needs and potential shortfalls.
Discussions within the committee are ongoing as legislators assess how much additional support INEC will require to ensure a smooth and credible electoral process.
The development reflects growing legislative attention on election financing ahead of the 2027 cycle, amid broader conversations around electoral reforms and the implementation of Nigeria’s updated electoral framework.