The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed a N126 billion budget for the year 2025, reflecting a 215 percent increase from the N40 billion allocated to the commission in the 2024 fiscal year.
The INEC attributed the increase sought to the rising costs associated with personnel due to the increment in the national minimum wage, the growing number of by-elections, and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Mahmoud Yakubu, chairman of INEC, made this case on Friday during budget defence session held by the National Assembly joint committee on Electoral matters.
Yakubu lamented that the N40 billion allocated to commission on tranches of over N3.3 billion monthly in 2024 instead of the N80 billion requested was grossly inadequate and barely covered personnel cost.
Consequently, he said the commission could not carry out important electoral activities such as the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) and eventually sought additional N10.5 billion for Edo and Ondo off-cycle elections in 2024.
Yakubu told the joint committee that the N40 billion again proposed for 2025 would not even cover personnel cost, excluding allowances and proposed N126 billion. He explained that the INEC will conduct 11 by-elections, noting that the Commission has one of the largest workforce on the country.
“We have over 14,700 personnel. Beyond the career offices in the Commission, the Commission has 51 political office holders; the Chairman, 12 National Commissioners, 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners, and the Commission Secretary. We cannot even pay the allowances of staff, so something has to be done about it,” he said.
The chairman also decried that there is no funding provision for the Anambra election in 2025 and preparation for Area Council elections, and off-cycle elections in Ekiti and Osun states next year.
“I know the law says that funds for the election should be released to the Commission one year after the election. But forward planning requires that we do some of the activities earlier rather than wait until the election year. For instance, we have not resumed the CVR, and many Nigerians have come of age and those who could not for one reason or another register earlier would like to register as voters. The CVR will end next year, it has to start this year”, he explained.
“Secondly, the distribution of voters to polling units. I would like to say that you can’t have a credible election without a credible register of voters, it’s critical. The third one is replacement of lost or damaged materials and facilities” he further said.
Yakubu disclosed that 860 buildings nationwide were destroyed and requires funding for rehabilitation.
Adebayo Balogun, chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, agreed that the INEC needs to be funded so that they are not exposed to executives who may lure them with funds
“He who plays the piper dictates the tune,” the House chairman said.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
