The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called for the prompt release of outstanding funds under its 2026 budget to ensure uninterrupted preparations for the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made the call on Tuesday while addressing a World Press Conference and National Stakeholders Meeting in Abuja.

Amupitan said the successful conduct of a national election of the scale of the 2027 polls required strong financial backing and fiscal discipline.

He acknowledged the Federal Government’s continued release of statutory allocations to the commission but said the remaining funds were needed to execute planned activities without disruption.

According to him, funds already released had enabled INEC to meet obligations to international vendors, finance the production of critical election technology, upgrade infrastructure and sustain operational deployments nationwide.

He said the commission expected the outstanding budgetary releases to be made promptly to maintain the pace of preparations.

INEC had earlier projected N873.78 billion for the 2027 general elections, covering operational costs, administration, technology, capital expenditure and other election-related activities. It also proposed N171 billion for its general operations in 2026.

Amupitan said INEC had commenced several preparations for the polls, including procurement of 57,000 new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices, acquisition of voting cubicles and operational vehicles, as well as the construction of dedicated BVAS storage facilities.

The commission is also renovating offices nationwide and upgrading its information and communications technology infrastructure ahead of the elections.

The funding request comes after earlier concerns over delays in releasing resources specifically allocated for the 2027 elections. INEC had previously maintained that preparations were progressing despite the funding gap.

The commission has stressed that early access to funds is important because election procurement, technology deployment, logistics and other preparations require adequate time to complete.

The 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on February 6.

Amupitan urged all stakeholders to support the commission’s preparations and ensure that the electoral process receives the resources required for the conduct of credible and efficient elections.