Independent National Electoral Commission chairman Mahmood Yakubu, has proposed a budget increment of N126 billion, stating that the initial N40 billion is insufficient to run the 2025 election.
Yakubu made the request on Friday in Abuja during the budget defence session of the Senate and House of Representatives joint committee on INEC and electoral matters.
In his presentation, Yakubu said elections in Nigeria had become a huge burden, requiring.
“Our proposal for the 2025 budget provision requires the sum of over N126 billion.
“We have the document that has provided details, line-by-line details, on how we intend to spend the 126 billion.
“We would like the support of the National Assembly to enable us to achieve our responsibilities in the first line charge, and most of these responsibilities are constitutional.
“In a nutshell, the N40 billion budget envelope given to us for 2025, will not cover one-third of projected expenses, which totally amounts to over N126 billion.
“Aside from the off-cycle elections for 21 constituencies to be filled through bye-elections and the Anambra Governorship election this year, personnel cost alone, on account of new minimum wage, will gulp the N40 billion budgetary envelope,” he added.
