The proposed N126 billion budget by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2025 fiscal year is essential for credible elections in Nigeria.

This is the position of the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Center in Africa (PAACA) in a statement Tuesday by its Executive Director, Ezenwa Nwagwu.

PAACA commended INEC for its transparency in presenting its financial needs and detailed breakdown of planned expenditures to the National Assembly.

PAACA’s position comes amidst ongoing debates in the National Assembly over INEC’s budget proposal, with the Commission emphasizing the need for robust funding to meet the rising costs of election administration in Nigeria.

The PAACA boss noted that the proposed N126 billion budget reflects the reality of electoral management in Nigeria, including funding for off-cycle elections, voter registration, and the replacement of damaged materials.

Justifying the need for increased budgetary allocation to INEC, PAACA argued that currently has 14,786 career staff scattered in all INEC offices in the 774 local government areas across the country as well as 51 political appointees which include National commissioners and Residrnt Electoral Commissioners (REC).

He noted: ” Now, if we take into consideration the recent minimum wage increment announced by the Federal government and its consequential adjustment in line with NSIWC Circular, you can imagine how much of the budget will go into payment of salaries. The personnel cost is already taking 85 billion of the budget. We are also screaming on INEC to train its personnel and embark on voter education, all of these require funding.

“Also, many Nigerians have misunderstood that 2025 is not an election year. Contrary to that, INEC has 12 off-cycle elections, the Anambra governorship and FCT area council election this 2025. These require significant financial resources for preparation and execution.

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“Besides, INEC is responsible for more than just elections every four years. From voter registration and maintenance of polling units to constituency delimitation and political party regulation, the Commission’s activities are ongoing.

“Furthermore, Nigeria’s unique electoral challenges, including attacks on electoral facilities, require sustained financial commitment.

Over 440 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, ballot boxes, and voting cubicles have been destroyed and must be replaced. These are realities and funding shortfalls t also a threat to the integrity of elections.”

In addition to elections, PAACA noted that there are numerous electoral activities, including Voter Registration, the cleaning-up of the voters’ register, voter distribution to polling units, continuous Voter Registration across over 8,800 centers nationwide to ensure that eligible voters who attain the age of 18 are not disenfranchised that require huge expenditure.

Ezenwa explained that the current inflation in the country has affected the cost of running and managing elections

He urged the federal government to prioritize the early release of funds to enable INEC to plan and execute electoral activities seamlessly, especially with the Anambra governorship elections.

The organisation also called on the National Assembly to approve the proposed budget without unnecessary cuts, noting that INEC’s financial needs are critical for strengthening democracy in Nigeria.