The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the N40 billion allocation proposed for it in the 2025 budget, citing inadequate funding for its operations.
Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this during the defence of INEC’s budget before the National Assembly’s joint committee on INEC and Electoral Matters on Friday.
Addressing the committee, chaired by Senator Sarafadeen Alli (APC, Oyo South), Yakubu stated that the Commission requires over N126 billion to meet its operational and constitutional responsibilities.
He highlighted that the N40 billion allocation would barely cover one-third of INEC’s projected expenses, including costs for off-cycle elections, the Anambra governorship election, and personnel expenses driven by the new minimum wage.
Yakubu stated, “We would like the support of the National to enable us to achieve our responsibilities in the first line charge and most of these responsibilities are constitutional.
“In a nutshell, the N40 billion budget envelope given us for 2025 will not cover 1/3 of projected expenses which totally amounts to over N126 billion
“Aside the off-cycle elections for 21 constituencies to be filled through bye – elections and the Anambra governorship election this year, personnel cost alone on account of the new minimum wage will eat up the N40 billion budgetary envelope.”
Yakubu further noted that funding inadequacies in 2024 had compelled INEC to seek N10.5 billion in intervention funds for the Edo and Ondo elections, as well as an additional N500 million for bye-elections.
Members of the joint committee assured INEC of their support, promising to consider the proposed N126 billion in the 2025 fiscal year budget.
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