By Gabriel Ameh
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed an allowance of N127,000 for each National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member and other temporary staff deployed for election duties in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
The allowance, covering five days of election work, includes N50,000 for duty, N5,000 for training, and approximately N9,500 for feeding, among other components.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, defended the allocation during the presentation of the commission’s N873.78 billion 2026 budget proposal to the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Electoral Matters in Abuja. He stressed that proper remuneration is critical to ensuring the integrity of elections at the grassroots level.
Lawmakers largely supported the proposal, highlighting that the credibility of elections hinges on the conduct of presiding officers, most of whom are NYSC members and temporary staff. Hon. Adebayo Balogun, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, noted that inadequate pay could expose officers to inducements, undermining election integrity.
The proposed budget marks a significant increase from the N313.4 billion spent on the 2023 general elections. The rise is attributed to higher personnel costs, new legal and technological requirements, and preparations starting 360 days before elections, as mandated under the Electoral Act 2022.
Key components of the 2026 budget include:
Election operations: N375.75 billion
Administrative costs: N92.3 billion
Technology: N209.21 billion
Capital costs: N154.90 billion
Miscellaneous expenses: N41.01 billion
INEC also plans to procure 130,000 new ballot boxes and redesign voting cubicles to curb vote-buying.
The new cubicles will allow ballot boxes to be placed inside, preventing voters from stepping out to deposit their ballots, thereby reducing opportunities for vote confirmation practices.
Additionally, INEC has assured that funds are being set aside for by-elections and off-cycle governorship polls scheduled in 2026, rather than transferring these costs to 2027.
The commission emphasized that the enhanced allowance for NYSC members and other ad hoc staff is a key step in ensuring credible and transparent elections in 2027.
