'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER – The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, appeared before the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters at the National Assembly Complex on Thursday to defend the Commission's proposed 2025 budget.
During his presentation, Prof. Yakubu emphasized the critical need for additional funding to support INEC's operations ahead of the 2027 General Elections. He outlined several key areas requiring financial allocation, including the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, logistics for upcoming off-cycle elections, and the replacement of damaged election materials.
Highlighting the specific challenges faced by the Commission, the INEC Chairman detailed the necessity of procuring new Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems (BVAS), ballot boxes, and voting cubicles. He also stressed the urgency of repairing INEC offices in various Local Government Areas that have suffered damage.
"2025 is a pivotal year in our preparations for the 2027 General Elections," Prof. Yakubu stated. "Receiving funds on time is essential to ensuring the smooth execution of our mandate. Without adequate and timely financial support, the Commission may face challenges in meeting its operational objectives."
The CVR exercise, a cornerstone of Nigeria's electoral process, is aimed at registering new voters and updating the voter register. According to Prof. Yakubu, this activity is integral to ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive electoral process.
He also pointed out that the repair and rehabilitation of damaged INEC offices are necessary to restore administrative functionality and maintain the integrity of election materials stored at these locations.
The National Assembly Joint Committee commended the Commission's proactive approach but assured that a thorough review of the budget proposal would be conducted to ensure that the funds requested align with the nation’s priorities and fiscal realities.
As INEC continues preparations for future elections, the 2025 fiscal year will serve as a foundational period for laying the groundwork for credible, transparent, and inclusive elections in 2027.
The budget defense marks a significant step in securing the resources needed for the Commission to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities effectively.
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