INEC Requires N126 Billion For Efficient Operations – Prof. Mahmood

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has requested an increase in its budgetary allocation to N126 billion, significantly higher than the N40 billion proposed in the 2025 budget estimates.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman, made the appeal on Friday during a budget defense session with the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters in Abuja.

Highlighting the financial demands of conducting elections in Nigeria, Yakubu emphasized the need for adequate funding to fulfill the commission’s constitutional responsibilities.

“Our proposal for the 2025 budget requires over N126 billion,” he stated. “We have provided detailed, line-by-line documentation of how we plan to utilize the funds. The N40 billion allocated to us will not cover even one-third of our projected expenses.”

The INEC Chairman further explained that the budget increase was necessary due to the rising costs of off-cycle elections in 21 constituencies, the Anambra governorship election, and personnel expenses driven by the new minimum wage.

“In 2024, we received intervention funds of N10.5 billion for the Edo and Ondo elections and an additional N500 million for bye-elections. The current N40 billion allocation for 2025 is grossly inadequate,” he added.

Members of the Joint Committee assured the commission of their support, emphasizing the importance of providing the necessary funding. Senator Ireti Kingibe stressed that the focus should not be on finding the money but on ensuring INEC has the resources to fulfill its mandate.

The committee concluded the session with a closed-door meeting to deliberate on funding strategies and how to integrate the required amount into the 2025 budget.

NAN