Amupitan Seeks Improved Funding, Staff Welfare Ahead of the 2027 General Election

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has appealed to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for increased and consistent funding to strengthen the Commission’s operations ahead of the 2027 general election.

Amupitan made the appeal yesterday during a courtesy visit to the RMAFC Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Shehu, in Abuja.

The INEC chairman in a statement issued yesterday by the commission’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, described the visit as part of ongoing efforts to deepen collaboration between the two federal bodies.

He said INEC’s constitutional mandate covered the conduct of 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, as well as continuous voter registration and the registration of political parties.

Amupitan noted that the cost of conducting governorship elections alone exceededd the combined cost of Presidential and National Assembly elections.

He added that the Commission also bore the financial burden of pre-election and post-election matters, including election petitions arising from party primaries.

The chairman explained that INEC maintained offices across all 36 states and the FCT, as well as in all 774 local government areas, with the federal government currently bearing the full cost of these nationwide operations.

Amupitan stressed the need for improved welfare packages for INEC staff, noting that competitive remuneration remained essential to retaining skilled personnel and sustaining institutional efficiency.

He observed that the Commission had, in recent times, lost some experienced staff to migration, attributing the trend in part to inadequate remuneration, and warned that a widening skill gap could result as more experienced personnel approach retirement.

The chairman was of the opinion that improved welfare conditions would boost staff morale and strengthen public confidence in the Commission’s electoral outcomes.

Responding, the RMAFC Chairman commended INEC for its consistency in conducting elections since 1999 and pledged the Commission’s support towards ensuring INEC delivered credible polls in 2027.

Shehu acknowledged the scale of INEC’s responsibilities across the federal, state and local government levels, describing the Commission’s operational demands as enormous given its nationwide presence.

He assured Amupitan and his team that RMAFC’s doors remained open for continued engagement and collaboration in support of INEC’s electoral mandate.