The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Joash Amupitan has urged the Federal Government to increase funding, improve staff welfare and invest more in electoral infrastructure, saying the commission requires stronger support to deliver credible elections in 2027. Speaking during a visit to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission in Abuja, […]
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Joash Amupitan has urged the Federal Government to increase funding, improve staff welfare and invest more in electoral infrastructure, saying the commission requires stronger support to deliver credible elections in 2027.
Speaking during a visit to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission in Abuja, Amupitan said the commission requires adequate financial support to discharge its constitutional responsibilities effectively.
He explained that INEC’s duties extend beyond conducting elections to include continuous voter registration, political party registration and managing other electoral processes across the country.
According to the INEC chairman, the commission also shoulders the financial burden of pre-election and post-election activities, including legal disputes arising from party primaries.
Amupitan raised concerns over the growing loss of experienced personnel to migration, warning that poor welfare could affect the commission’s institutional capacity as more senior officials retire.
He called for increased investment in electoral infrastructure, technology and staff training to improve operational efficiency and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
The INEC chairman reiterated the commission’s commitment to conducting transparent, free and credible elections, announcing that the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.
Responding, RMAFC Chairman Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu commended INEC’s performance since 1999 and pledged continued collaboration to support the commission’s constitutional mandate.