INEC requires N126bn for 2025 operations, says Chairman Yakubu

• The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) requests N126 billion for its 2025 operations and preparations for the 2027 general elections
• The N40 billion allocated in the 2025 budget proposal is deemed insufficient to cover salaries, allowances, and critical electoral activities
• The fund is required to conduct the Anambra governorship election and prepare for Area Council elections, among other plans

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has stated that the commission will need approximately N126 billion to fund its activities in 2025 and begin preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Yakubu made this known at the National Assembly Complex during a budget defence session with the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters, where he highlighted the inadequacy of the N40 billion proposed in the 2025 budget by President Bola Tinubu.

He explained that the allocated N40 billion would barely cover staff salaries and allowances, especially following the recent increase in the minimum wage. 

Yakubu compared it to the 2024 allocation, which also stood at N40 billion and was primarily used to pay salaries and social contributions like the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), pensions, and Industrial Training Fund (ITF).

“We complained about the allocations, and you asked what we thought would be adequate. We made a proposal of N80bn then. We are aware that you made efforts to ensure an increase, but that did not work.

“On our part, we made efforts and approached the executive for more funds, and we were able to get about N10.5bn from the executive to take care of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections. That was why we were able to conduct those elections and came out successful,” Yakubu said.

Critical needs for 2025

Highlighting 2025 as a pivotal year, Yakubu outlined several activities not accounted for in the current budget:

• Anambra governorship election: Preparations for the election scheduled for later in 2025 require funding.
• Area Council elections: These are slated for February 2026, and preparations must commence in 2025.
• Party primaries and bye-elections: Monitoring party primaries and conducting up to 11 bye-elections necessitate additional funding.
• Continuous voter registration: The voter registration exercise, suspended due to insufficient funds, must resume and conclude by 2026.
• Redistribution of voters: Overpopulated polling units require redistribution, an activity expected to be resource-intensive.

Yakubu also disclosed that INEC faces infrastructural challenges, including maintaining over 850 buildings nationwide and relocating 59 local government offices in unsuitable locations. 

The commission hopes to relocate at least 30 offices in 2025 if the proposed budget is approved.

Equipment replacement and losses

The INEC Chairman revealed that between the 2023 general elections, the commission lost 440 (BVAS) Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines. 

Although insurance claims amounting to N205 million were processed, the funds were remitted to government coffers rather than INEC directly.

The commission also plans to replace other essential items, including voting cubicles and additional equipment, to ensure smooth operations.

Lawmakers advocate increased funding

Senator Ireti Kingibe (LP, FCT) emphasised the importance of providing INEC with adequate funding, stating, “INEC has to be independent, and whatever we have to do to get funding for the commission must be done. It is not whether the commission will get the money. It has to get the money needed.”

Similarly, House of Representatives member Adeboye Paul highlighted the dangers of underfunding INEC, pointing out the risk of local governments supplementing the shortfall. 

“We need to deliberate on how best to assist the commission and save our democracy. If we allow them to continue going cap in hand to the executive for funds, that is not good for democracy in this country,” he added.

The budget defence session eventually moved behind closed doors, with Yakubu, seven national commissioners, and directors present to deliberate further with the joint committee.

INEC unveils electoral reforms for 2025, including diaspora voting, PVC phase-out

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced plans for electoral reforms in 2025, including the gradual discontinuation of Permanent Voter Cards and the introduction of voting for Nigerians in the diaspora.

The commission noted that the proposed reforms stemmed from a meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, December 12, where Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu met with the Resident Electoral Commissioners.