Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has formally requested that the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) provide more robust and reliable financial support. This request, made during a meeting with RMAFC Chairman Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu in Abuja, aims to bolster the agency’s operational capacity as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan highlighted the extensive scope of INEC’s constitutional duties, which include managing nationwide elections for federal and state offices, overseeing political party registrations, and handling continuous voter enrollment. He noted that the financial requirements for conducting state-level governorship elections often surpass those of federal elections, placing a significant strain on the commission’s budget, which is entirely funded by the Federal Government.
Addressing the issue of personnel, the INEC Chairman emphasized that enhancing welfare packages is critical to preventing the loss of experienced staff to migration. He warned that without competitive compensation, the commission risks losing institutional knowledge, which could undermine public trust in electoral results. He advocated for sustained investments in infrastructure, advanced electoral technology, and consistent staff training.
Regarding the upcoming schedule, Amupitan reaffirmed that the Presidential and National Assembly elections are set for 16 January 2027, followed by the Governorship and State Assembly elections on 6 February 2027. He also noted that the commission is preparing for an off-cycle governorship election in Osun State scheduled for 15 August 2026. In response, Dr. Shehu praised INEC’s performance since 1999 and promised that the RMAFC would support the commission in its efforts to ensure credible outcomes for the 2027 electoral cycle.
