The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has appealed to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, for increased and sustained funding to strengthen the Commission’s operations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan made the appeal on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of RMAFC, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, in Abuja.
He described the visit as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration between the two federal agencies.
Speaking during the visit, Nathaniel Audu Gana reports that the INEC chairman outlined the Commission’s constitutional responsibilities, which include conducting elections for the offices of the President, Vice President, National Assembly, state governors, state Houses of Assembly, and the Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory.
He added that INEC is also responsible for continuous voter registration and the registration of political parties.
Amupitan noted that the cost of conducting governorship elections alone exceeds the combined cost of presidential and National Assembly elections.
He explained that the Commission also bears substantial expenses arising from pre-election and post-election activities, including litigation over party primaries.
He further stated that INEC maintains offices in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as in the nation’s 774 local government areas, with the Federal Government shouldering the cost of sustaining the extensive nationwide structure.
The INEC chairman also called for improved welfare packages for staff, stressing that competitive remuneration is critical to retaining skilled personnel and sustaining institutional efficiency.
He revealed that the Commission has lost experienced staff to migration in recent years due, in part, to inadequate remuneration, warning that the trend, coupled with impending retirements, could widen the institution’s skills gap.
According to him, better welfare conditions would boost staff morale and enhance public confidence in the electoral process.
Amupitan also advocated increased funding for infrastructure, electoral technology and personnel training, describing these investments as essential for preserving institutional knowledge and improving the Commission’s capacity to deliver credible elections.
He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting free, fair, transparent and credible elections, noting that the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.
The INEC chairman also disclosed that the Commission would conduct the off-cycle governorship election in Osun State on August 15, 2026.
He added that the recent governorship election in Ekiti State, as well as recent bye-elections in other states, had attracted commendation from both local and international observers.
Responding, the RMAFC Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, commended INEC for its consistency in conducting elections since 1999 and pledged the Commission’s support towards ensuring the successful conduct of credible polls in 2027.
Shehu acknowledged the enormous scale of INEC’s responsibilities across the federal, state and local government levels, noting that the Commission’s nationwide presence places significant operational and financial demands on its activities.
He assured the INEC chairman and his delegation of RMAFC’s continued support and readiness to sustain collaboration in advancing the Commission’s constitutional mandate.
Amupitan was accompanied by National Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, technical aides and directors, while Dr. Shehu received the delegation alongside the RMAFC Vice Chairman, commissioners and senior directors.
Source: theabujainquirer.com
