For successful operations in 2025, Nigeria’s election agency, the Independent National election Commission, or INEC, has asked for a total of 126 billion naira.
Professor Mamud Yakubu, the Commission’s chairman, made the proposal during a joint budget defense held in Abuja at the National Assembly.
He claimed that a shortage of funding also prevented INEC from starting nationwide voter education campaigns.
“Despite the commission’s best efforts, we were unable to start continuous voter registration in 2024 due to a lack of funding. After successfully expanding voter access to polling places before to the general elections in 2023, we also hoped to start redistributing voters to voting places, but we were unable to accomplish this. In addition to the INEC office in Abuja, this budget also includes all thirty-seven of our offices around the country as well as seven hundred and seventy-four local government offices. Additionally, some of them were lulling activities, according to Professor Yakubu.
The chairman of INEC added that the commission must hold eleven bye elections for the National Assembly this year alone.
Professor Mamud added that the commission is starting to feel a lot of strain from Nigeria’s ongoing Bye elections.
“This country needs a big, massive conversation. There is no longer an election season in Nigeria. Nigerian elections are very important. To have elections, our country is spending a lot of money. “Electoral conduct is becoming a significant burden,” Professor Yakubu stated.
He went on to say that the national assembly has received 122 recommendations about Nigeria’s election reform.
Senator Yaroe Binos expressed his dissatisfaction with the INEC Chairman’s explanation in his submission.
In order to accomplish electoral reform in Nigeria, Senator Ireti Kingibe demanded that INEC receive additional resources.
Mr. Adabayo Balogun, the chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, expressed his worry that INEC needs additional funding.
According to him, if INEC is unable to find, it may cause the commission to look for help elsewhere.
“We desire complete independence for INEC. We must provide INEC with all of the funding in order for them to become completely independent. This will prevent them from rushing to state governors and council chairmen to request funding. Because the time is set by the one who pays the piper. INEC shouldn’t let financial difficulties stop it from carrying out its duties, Mr. Balogun stated.
To wrap up the talks, the meeting entered an executive session.