INEC Seeks Additional Funding for 2027 Elections: What This Means for Nigeria’s Democracy

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is seeking additional funding from the Federal Government to prepare for the 2027 general elections. This move is aimed at supporting key areas of INEC’s work, including:

– *Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise*: INEC needs funds to continue registering new voters and updating the voter registry.
– *Logistics for off-cycle elections*: The commission requires funding to conduct elections outside of the regular schedule, such as bye-elections.
– *Replacing damaged election materials*: INEC needs to replace damaged or obsolete equipment, including Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems (BVAS), Ballot Boxes, and Voting cubicles.
– *Repairing INEC offices in Local Government Areas*: The commission requires funding to maintain and repair its offices across the country.

According to INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, 2025 is a critical year for preparing for the 2027 general elections. The commission stresses the importance of receiving funds on time to ensure smooth operations ¹.

This move is part of INEC’s efforts to strengthen the electoral process and sustain democracy in Nigeria. The commission has also proposed a N126bn budget for 2025 and has clarified that it does not intend to destroy uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, it’s essential to ensure that INEC has the necessary resources to conduct free, fair, and credible elections. The additional funding will help INEC to better prepare for the elections and address any challenges that may arise.