INEC Can’t Be Truly Independent Without Financial Autonomy – Chairman Amupitan

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has said INEC cannot achieve full independence without financial autonomy.

He warned that reliance on the regular budgetary process weakens the commission’s ability to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

Speaking on Thursday in Lagos, Amupitan said granting INEC greater control over its finances is critical to strengthening its operations and improving public confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.  

He spoke at the public presentation of _Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023)_, authored by THISDAY Managing Director, Mr. Eniola Bello.

*”Budget Approvals Remain a Major Limitation”*

The INEC chairman argued that although the Constitution provides for the commission’s funding through the Consolidated Revenue Fund, the current arrangement does not guarantee true independence because INEC still depends on the normal appropriation process.

“Can INEC truly be independent without financial autonomy? If we are serious about strengthening our institutions and conducting free, fair and credible elections, then financial autonomy is essential,” Amupitan said.

“The Constitution places INEC’s funding on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and many believe that is sufficient.  

However, experience has shown that as long as INEC remains subject to the normal appropriation process and depends on budgetary approvals by other institutions, genuine financial independence remains difficult,” he said.

Amupitan said INEC’s mandate goes beyond conducting elections. The commission is also responsible for voter registration, registration and monitoring of political parties, maintenance of the national voters’ register, and the conduct of federal and state elections. It also plays a role in supporting local government elections in some respects.

“For these reasons, there is a strong case for giving INEC greater operational and financial autonomy to improve efficiency and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process,” he said.

The chairman stressed that credible elections cannot be achieved by INEC alone. Political parties, security agencies, the media, civil society organizations and citizens all have important roles to play.

“When we talk about strengthening institutions, there are several involved in the conduct of elections.  

Most times, people think only of INEC, but beyond INEC, we also have the media, security agencies, civil society organizations and indeed, the Nigerian people.  

The health of our democracy is reflected in the strength of this wider institutional framework,” he said.

Amupitan said all stakeholders must collaborate if Nigeria hopes to conduct peaceful and credible elections in 2027.  

“Therefore, if we truly want the 2027 elections to be free, fair, credible and peaceful, all these institutions must work together,” he added.

On concerns surrounding the appointment of INEC leadership, Amupitan said the Constitution provides safeguards by requiring the President to appoint the chairman and national commissioners in consultation with the Council of State and subject to Senate confirmation.

He, however, noted that the effectiveness of such provisions often depends on those implementing them.  

“Sometimes, however, the issue is not the law itself but those who operate it,” he said.

The INEC chairman cited former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, who argued that Nigeria’s challenge is not the absence of laws but the failure to uphold the spirit of the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

Amupitan also described Bello’s book as a valuable contribution to Nigeria’s democratic discourse, documenting the country’s political journey from 1999 to 2023.

“Every election teaches us lessons, and every electoral cycle provides an opportunity to improve on the last,” he said.