By Emmanuel Onyedika
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed serious concern that delays in the release of funds for the 2027 general elections could undermine procurement, logistics, and operational preparations essential for the polls.
Speaking at a fireside chat organised by the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA) in partnership with legis360 in Abuja, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, revealed that the commission has not yet received election funds despite the scale of preparations required.
Haruna explained that although the Electoral Act 2026 stipulates that funds should be released not later than six months before a general election, the timeframe is inadequate for Nigeria’s complex electoral process. He stressed that ballot boxes, voting cubicles, ballot papers, and other materials cannot be procured “off the shelf” but must be manufactured, requiring significant lead time.
He also noted that not all Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines deployed in previous elections were recovered, making replacements and fresh procurement necessary. Delays in funding, he warned, could affect acquisition of materials, deployment of technology, personnel training, and other critical aspects of election administration.
Haruna disclosed that INEC is considering conducting mock presidential election exercises before 2027 to prevent a recurrence of technical glitches that affected the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal during the 2023 presidential election. He added that the commission would also engage the judiciary, beginning with the Supreme Court, to address concerns over conflicting court orders and last-minute rulings that disrupt election arrangements.
He stressed that election management requires certainty and sufficient planning time, noting that judicial interventions close to election dates often force INEC to reconfigure systems, reprint materials, and revise logistics plans.
Also speaking, PAACA Executive Director Ezenwa Nwagwu warned that late release of election funds could create avoidable crises, weaken compliance with procedures, and open the door to corruption. He argued that election preparation should not be viewed solely as INEC’s responsibility, insisting that political actors also bear responsibility for creating conditions necessary for credible elections.
“Politicians always like to create emergencies because once you create emergencies, corruption moves closer. When institutions are forced to work under pressure, people begin to say ‘just go ahead’. Once that happens, rules can be bypassed and that is dangerous,” Nwagwu said.