2027: INEC can’t be truly independent without financial autonomy — Amupitan

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, says the commission cannot be truly independent without financial autonomy.

Amupitan made this assertion on Thursday at the public presentation of ‘Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023)’, authored by THISDAY Managing Director, Mr Eniola Bello.

He cautioned that persistent dependence on the normal budgetary process weakens INEC’s operational independence, adding that such could undermine efforts to deliver free, fair and credible elections in 2027.

According to him, while the electoral body remains central to the electoral process, the responsibility for credible elections extends to political parties, security agencies, the media, civil society organisations and Nigerians themselves.

“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 INEC chairman stressed that although the Constitution places the electoral umpire’s funding on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, practical experience has shown that the arrangement falls short of guaranteeing genuine independence because the Commission still passes through the normal appropriation process.