The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has declared that the electoral umpire cannot be truly independent without financial autonomy. He recently had his say while delivering the keynote address at the public presentation of “Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023).”
Warning that continued dependence on the normal budgetary process weakens its operational independence, Amupitan stated that nothing should undermine efforts to deliver free, fair and credible elections in 2027.
Stressing that the Constitution places INEC’s funding on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, he added that practical experience has shown that the arrangement falls short of guaranteeing genuine independence because the Commission still passes through the normal appropriation process.
His words, “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.
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.
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.
When we talk about strengthening institutions, there are several institutions involved in the conduct of elections. Most times, people think only of the Independent National Electoral Commission, but beyond INEC, we also have the media, the security agencies, civil society organisations and, indeed, the Nigerian people. The health of our democracy is reflected in the strength of this wider institutional framework.
Therefore, if we truly want the 2027 elections to be free, fair, credible and peaceful, all these institutions must work together.
Sometimes, however, the issue is not the law itself but those who operate it.
Every election teaches us lessons, and every electoral cycle provides an opportunity to improve on the last.”
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