By Zainab Bakare
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has called for increased funding, improved staff welfare and greater investment in electoral infrastructure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan made the appeal in Abuja during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Mohammed Shehu.
He said stronger collaboration between both agencies is vital to delivering credible elections.
According to a statement by INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Etta-Messi, the commission’s responsibilities go beyond conducting elections. They include continuous voter registration, political party registration and managing election-related activities nationwide.
Amupitan said conducting governorship elections is more expensive than holding the presidential and National Assembly elections combined.
He also warned that poor staff welfare has led to the loss of experienced personnel through migration and called for better remuneration, more investment in electoral technology, infrastructure and staff training.
The INEC chairman reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to free, fair and credible elections, noting that the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
In response, RMAFC Chairman pledged continued support for INEC in fulfilling its constitutional mandate.
