The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has said the electoral umpire cannot achieve full independence without financial autonomy.
He warned that reliance on the regular budgetary process could weaken its ability to conduct free, fair and credible elections.
Amupitan said granting INEC greater control over its finances was critical to strengthening the commission’s operations and improving public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As reported by Vanguard, he spoke on Thursday while delivering a keynote address at the public presentation of ‘Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023)’, authored by THISDAY Managing Director, Mr Eniola Bello, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
The INEC chairman argued that although the constitution provides for the commission’s funding through the Consolidated Revenue Fund, the existing arrangement does not guarantee true financial independence because INEC still depends on the normal appropriation process.
