The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed concern over the delay in receiving funds for the 2027 general elections, warning that the situation could affect preparations as the legal deadline draws closer.
According to The Guardian Nigeria, the electoral commission has yet to receive the funds earmarked for the elections, despite only 21 days remaining before the statutory deadline of July 16, 2026. Under the Electoral Act 2026, election funds must be released at least six months before a general election.
INEC is seeking about N873 billion to organise the 2027 polls, covering election operations, technology, logistics, capital projects and administrative expenses.
Speaking during a media engagement in Abuja, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said delaying the release of funds until the final deadline could slow the procurement of essential election materials.
He explained that key items such as ballot papers, ballot boxes, voting cubicles and new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices require months to manufacture and deliver. Haruna disclosed that INEC has already begun discussions on procuring additional BVAS machines after some devices used in previous elections were lost, damaged or not recovered.
The commission also announced plans to conduct a mock presidential election before the 2027 polls to test its technology infrastructure. Haruna said the exercise is intended to ensure that the technical problems experienced with the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal during the 2023 presidential election are not repeated.
INEC also raised concerns over conflicting court orders that disrupt election planning. Haruna revealed that the commission plans to hold consultations with judicial authorities, beginning with the Supreme Court of Nigeria, to address the issue of last-minute judgments affecting election preparations.
Meanwhile, political parties are expected to receive official access codes from INEC to upload their candidates for the 2027 elections. The move is expected to settle disputes over recognised party leaderships and officially confirm nominated candidates.
Attention is also focused on the choice of presidential running mates across the major political parties. While Peter Obi has already picked Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate on the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ticket, uncertainty remains over the vice-presidential candidates of other leading parties.
Within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), speculation continues over whether President Bola Tinubu will retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate. In the African Democratic Congress (ADC), reports of disagreements persist over the vice-presidential slot alongside Atiku Abubakar.
In Ondo State, uncertainty also surrounds the APC’s National Assembly candidates following disputes arising from the party’s primaries, with competing camps awaiting the publication of the final candidate list.
