The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the 2023 election project plan document released on Thursday stated that it is budgeting the sum of N305 billion to run the general elections.
Driving the news
The commission’s document stated that 79.44% or N239.2 billion of the budget would be spent on ballot papers, operational vehicles, ballot boxes, allowances of ad hoc workers, printing of result sheets, logistics and procurement of accreditation devices.
- The commission also budgeted N27.1 billion for run-off elections.
Budget breakdown
- INEC budgeted 34.51% or N105.2 billion of the total budget on the procurement of accreditation devices.
- For the over 1 million staff, the commission set aside N23.7 billion.
- INEC set logistics expenses at N23 billion.
- Nigeria’s electoral body set N20.6 billion and N12.7 billion on printing of ballot papers and procurement of non-sensitive materials.
- Other costs include N9.5 billion for printing of result sheets, N13.19 billion for procurement of ballot boxes, and N3.9 billion for procurement of operational vehicles, etc.
By the numbers
The 2023 general elections budget of N305 billion is almost 2x the cost in 2019 (189 billion) and almost 3x that of 2015 (108.8 billion). This is due to the increased number of registered voters of over 100 million voters compared to the 84 million in 2019 and 68 million in 2014.
- Next year elections would have 176, 846 polling units compared to 119, 973 in 2019.
What they are saying
INEC’s chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, has assured Nigerians that the country’s security challenges cannot stop the 2023 elections. He added that the commission is working with the security agencies in the country to ensure a smooth electoral process.
- Prof Yakubu also explained the commission is working to improve the overall performance of both equipment and personnel.