INEC chief links 2027 election security, credibility to adequate funding

INEC chief ties 2027 election security and credibility to adequate funding

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Amupitan, has warned that securing polling stations and managing complex logistics for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections will depend heavily on timely and adequate financial allocations for both the commission and law enforcement agencies.

Speaking on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, in Owerri, Imo State, during the sixth edition of the Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers, Amupitan emphasized that operational efficiency across the country cannot be achieved without sustained funding.

Addressing police commanders under the conference theme, “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections,” the electoral chief noted that while INEC’s funding is constitutionally drawn as a first-line charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, broader budgetary constraints across public institutions frequently impact deployment capabilities.

Amupitan pointed out that INEC’s constitutional obligations extend far beyond presidential and parliamentary polls to encompass state governorship contests, legislative elections, continuous voter registration, and the oversight of political parties. He stressed that even when security agencies successfully prevent violence on election day, inadequate funding for transport and distribution logistics can still stall the delivery of sensitive voting materials to remote registration areas, wards, and polling units.

Key highlights and details from the address include:

• National Shared Responsibility: Amupitan argued that because INEC conducts elections covering three tiers of government, election expenditure—including security-related operational overheads—must be approached as a collective national responsibility.
• Voter Register Integrity: The chairman emphasized that a updated and accurate voters’ register remains the foundation of credible elections, warning that funding shortfalls in voter registration exercises risk compromising the inclusiveness of the democratic process.
• Inter-Agency Coordination via ICCES: The commission reaffirmed its reliance on the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES). Originating after the 2011 general elections to mitigate post-election violence, ICCES now operates at national, state, and local government levels, bringing together the Inspector-General of Police, state commissioners, and divisional police heads alongside INEC leadership.
• Bar Association Support: Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, who also addressed the retreat, called on the leadership and operational personnel of the Nigeria Police Force to extend unalloyed synergy to the INEC Chairman to protect ballot boxes and guarantee transparent elections.

Acknowledging public demands for flawless electoral administration, Amupitan noted that achieving high standards carries real financial costs that the nation must be prepared to meet. He urged senior police officers to maintain strict professional neutrality, enhance proactive intelligence gathering, and build on lessons from recent off-cycle governorship elections as preparations intensify for the 2027 polls.

The INEC chairman attended the retreat alongside a high-level delegation, including National Commissioners Dr Ken Nnamdi Ukeagu and Rear Admiral Jamila Abubakar Malaga (Retd.), Imo State Resident Electoral Commissioner Chukwuemeka C. Ibeziakor, and Chief Press Secretary Adedayo Oketola.