The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has called for increased and sustained funding to support the commission’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, in Abuja, stressing the need for stronger collaboration between the two federal agencies.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Etta-Messi, the INEC chairman said the commission’s constitutional responsibilities extend beyond conducting elections to include continuous voter registration, political party registration and other electoral activities, making adequate funding essential.
He noted that governorship elections are more expensive to conduct than the combined presidential and National Assembly elections, adding that INEC also bears the cost of pre-election and post-election activities, including litigation arising from party primaries. He further highlighted the financial demands of maintaining offices in the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and all 774 local government areas.
Amupitan also called for improved welfare for INEC staff, warning that the commission had lost experienced personnel to migration. He said better remuneration would help retain skilled workers, boost staff morale and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
He further urged greater investment in electoral infrastructure, technology and staff training, describing them as critical to preserving institutional knowledge and improving the commission’s operational efficiency.
Reaffirming INEC’s commitment to credible elections, Amupitan said the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state House of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027. He added that the Osun State governorship election is slated for August 15, 2026, noting that the recent Ekiti governorship election and several by-elections had received positive reviews both locally and internationally.
In his response, RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Bello Shehu commended INEC for its consistency in conducting elections since 1999 and assured the commission of continued support and collaboration to ensure the successful conduct of the 2027 general elections.
