Rising Election Costs ‘Excessive and Burdensome,’ INEC Chairman Warns Lawmakers

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has raised concerns over the rising cost of conducting elections in Nigeria, describing the expenses as excessive and burdensome. He made this statement on Friday while defending the 2024 budget implementation before the National Assembly.

Yakubu revealed that INEC, despite being one of the country’s largest employers, is operating on a reduced budget of ₦40 billion, significantly lower than the ₦80 billion initially requested. He stressed that the funding shortfall has placed a strain on the commission’s ability to fulfill its electoral duties effectively.

To address these financial challenges, Yakubu called on lawmakers to organize a retreat where both the legislature and INEC could collaborate on finding sustainable solutions to Nigeria’s electoral funding issues. “We need a major conversation, the commission cannot continue conducting elections all year round,” he said.

The INEC chairman also highlighted the poor state of the commission’s infrastructure, revealing that 860 buildings across the country require urgent repairs. He urged the National Assembly to ensure that the commission’s proposed ₦126 billion budget is approved to allow INEC to carry out its responsibilities without further financial strain