Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has argued for an increase in the Commission’s 2025 budgetary allocation to facilitate its operations.
He made the appeal during a budget defense session with the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters at the National Assembly complex on Friday, January 10, 2025.
Highlighting the financial constraints the Commission encountered in the 2024 fiscal year, Prof. Yakubu explained that INEC was allocated N40 billion, which he described as insufficient to cover anything beyond personnel costs and social contributions.
He detailed how the allocation left critical activities unfunded, such as the resumption of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and voter redistribution to polling units.
“While we received all the funds allocated for 2024, the N40 billion was only enough to pay consolidated salaries, allowances, and statutory social contributions. Unfortunately, many operational activities had to be shelved,” he stated.
Prof. Yakubu said that the Commission had to approach the executive for supplementary funding of N10.5 billion to conduct the Edo and Ondo governorship elections. However, this allocation still fell short of the Commission’s operational requirements, leaving several bye-elections unaddressed. “We’ve conducted nine of the required bye-elections, but as of today, 11 bye-elections remain pending,” he noted.
On the 2025 budget proposal, he revealed that the funding envelope provided by the Ministry of Finance remains unchanged at N40 billion—the same allocation as 2024, despite rising operational costs.
He said:
“With a workforce of over 14,700 personnel, including 51 political officeholders, and the introduction of a new minimum wage, the N40 billion allocation cannot even cover personnel costs adequately.”
To address these challenges and effectively plan for upcoming electoral activities, he said INEC has proposed a budget of N126 billion for 2025.
Prof. Yakubu listed key areas requiring immediate funding as off cycle elections, CVR and replacement of damaged materials.
With regard for the off-cycle elections, the INEC Chairman noted that preparations for the Anambra, Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, and Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory would require significant financial input.
He said the resumption of the CVR would take place at over 8,800 centers nationwide to ensure that Nigerians who have come of age can register to vote.
On damaged materials, Prof. Yakubu said the Commission must replace over 440 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, ballot boxes, and voting cubicles lost to attacks and fires during past electoral exercises.
He revealed that insurance claims amounting to N205 million have been remitted to the federal treasury, leaving INEC to source replacement funds.
He observed that many of the over 860 facilities nationwide belonging to INEC, including 774 local government offices and 37 state offices also require urgent rehabilitation, just as he underscored the need for early planning for the next general election, entailing activities such as voter redistribution and procurement of essential materials.
His words:
“the proposed budget is not just about conducting elections, but ensuring that INEC’s role as an electoral commission is robustly supported. Our mandate extends beyond balloting to include voter registration, political party regulation, and constituency creation.”
Addressing the high cost of elections in Nigeria, the INEC Chairman proposed exploring sustainable funding mechanisms.
He suggested that a percentage of the Federation Account allocation be dedicated to electoral activities, reducing the federal government’s exclusive burden.
He also advocated for legislative reforms to streamline bye-elections and minimize their financial and operational demands.
“We must find a more cost-effective way of dealing with elections,” Prof. Yakubu argued, pointing to practices in other countries like the United States, where vacancies in legislative bodies are often filled by gubernatorial appointment rather than by expensive bye-elections.
There are 142 recommendations in the Commission’s 2023 General Election Review Report, eight of which require action by the National Assembly.
Prof. Yakubu urged the lawmakers to collaborate with the Commission in addressing electoral challenges while emphasizing the need for a major conversation about the future of election management in Nigeria.
“As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, we must confront the realities of our electoral system and ensure adequate funding to uphold the credibility and integrity of elections,” he concluded.
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