The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has decried the cost implications of conducting elections in Nigeria, describing it as exorbitant and burdensome.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said on Friday that the Commission would require about N126 billion to finance its activities in 2025 and begin preparation for the 2027 general elections.

He appeared before the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja today to defend the Commission’s 2025 budget proposal. Prof. Yakubu explained the need for additional funding to support key areas of INEC’s work. These include the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, logistics for off-cycle elections, the replacement of damaged election materials such as Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems (BVAS), ballot boxes, and voting cubicles, and the repair of INEC offices in local government areas.

He stated that 2025 is a crucial year for preparing for the 2027 General Elections and stressed the importance of receiving funds on time to ensure smooth operations.

According to him, despite INEC being one of the largest employers in the country, it operated on a reduced budget of N40 billion, significantly lower than the N80 billion initially requested.

The INEC boss stressed the financial strain this has placed on the commission’s ability to carry out its responsibilities effectively.

He appealed to the lawmakers to arrange a retreat where the legislature and INEC could collaborate, exchange ideas, and find solutions to the pressing issues affecting the electoral process in Nigeria.

“We need a major conversation; the commission cannot continue conducting elections all year round,” he said.

He further lamented the deteriorating state of INEC’s facilities, particularly the 860 buildings across the country, which are in urgent need of repair.

Yakubu, therefore, called on the National Assembly to ensure that the electoral body, which has now submitted a 126-billion-naira budget proposal, receives adequate funding.