By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
IMPROVED AND sustained funding has been sought by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to support the successful conduct of the 2027 general elections.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr Mohammed Shehu, in Abuja.
Amupitan said conducting governorship elections costs more than the combined expenses of the presidential and National Assembly elections.
He also said the commission’s constitutional responsibilities extend beyond conducting elections to include continuous voter registration, political party registration and handling pre-election and post-election matters, including litigation arising from party primaries.
Amupitan said INEC operates offices across the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the country’s 774 local government areas, with the Federal Government funding its nationwide operations.
He also called for improved welfare packages for INEC staff, saying poor remuneration has resulted in the loss of experienced personnel to migration.
He added that better salaries and working conditions are essential for retaining skilled workers, preserving institutional knowledge, boosting staff morale and strengthening public confidence in the electoral process.
Amupitan also stressed the need for greater investment in electoral infrastructure, technology and personnel training to strengthen the commission’s capacity to deliver credible elections.
He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting free, fair, transparent and credible elections and announced that the 2027 presidential and National Assembly (NASS) elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.
He also disclosed that an off-cycle governorship election in Osun State is scheduled for August 15, 2026.
Amupitan added that the commission’s recent governorship election in Ekiti State and several bye-elections had been widely praised within Nigeria and internationally.
Responding, Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr Mohammed Shehu, commended INEC for consistently conducting elections since 1999 and pledged the commission’s support to ensure adequate collaboration and funding to help INEC deliver credible elections in 2027.
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