(DDM) – The Nigerian Senate has initiated moves to increase funding for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The fresh development follows deliberations within the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, which is reportedly seeking an additional ₦30 billion to support preparations for the nationwide exercise.
Lawmakers linked the proposed increase primarily to logistical concerns, noting that the scale and complexity of conducting general elections in Nigeria require extensive financial backing.
The additional ₦30 billion request comes after INEC had earlier proposed approximately ₦873 billion as its estimated budget for the 2027 elections.
The Commission’s initial projection was said to cover personnel training, procurement of electoral materials, technology upgrades, transportation, security coordination, and voter education programs across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Senators argued that the expanding cost of logistics, including transportation, warehousing, and distribution of sensitive materials to remote and riverine areas, has necessitated a review of the proposed allocation.
Nigeria’s general elections remain one of the largest democratic exercises in Africa, often involving millions of registered voters and thousands of polling units nationwide.
Observers note that inflationary pressures, foreign exchange fluctuations, and rising operational expenses may also be influencing the upward budget consideration.
The Senate Committee on Electoral Matters reportedly emphasized the importance of ensuring that INEC is adequately funded to avoid operational setbacks that could undermine the credibility of the 2027 polls.
While the request has been tabled, further legislative procedures will determine whether the additional ₦30 billion will be formally approved and integrated into the electoral budget framework.
INEC has consistently maintained that early release of funds is critical to timely procurement and planning, particularly for sensitive technologies such as biometric voter accreditation systems and result transmission infrastructure.
Political analysts say funding debates around election budgets are not new, as past election cycles have also witnessed revisions due to security deployments, legal contingencies, and technological upgrades.
The 2027 general elections are expected to be highly consequential, as political parties prepare for presidential, gubernatorial, National Assembly, and state legislative contests.
More details are expected to emerge as legislative discussions continue regarding the proposed budget adjustment.
