Amupitan pushes direct funding for INEC

He noted that although the Constitution places INEC on the first-line charge, the commission remains dependent on the annual budget and appropriation process, making it difficult to function independently.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has called for the commission to be funded directly from the Federation Account, arguing that such a move is necessary to guarantee its financial independence and improve the credibility of elections.

Speaking on Thursday in Abuja at the public presentation of Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa's Most Consequential Country (1999–2023), a two-volume book authored by ThisDay Managing Director Eniola Bello, Amupitan said the current funding arrangement weakens the commission's operational efficiency.

He noted that although the Constitution places INEC on the first-line charge, the commission remains dependent on the annual budget and appropriation process, making it difficult to function independently.

"Experience over the years has shown that as long as INEC is still subject to the normal envelope system and the processes of appropriation, having to go to the National Assembly, it is very difficult to operate in such a situation without wasting your time," he said.

Amupitan argued that INEC's responsibilities extend beyond presidential and National Assembly elections to include governorship and state assembly polls, voter registration, and the regulation of political parties.

According to him, governorship and state assembly elections are more expensive to conduct than presidential elections, yet the commission's funding continues to come solely from the Consolidated Revenue Fund through the federal government.

"It is for this reason we feel that although the Constitution tried to place INEC on the first-line charge, it is not strong enough. INEC should come as part of the Federation Account so that we can have seamless operations and what we call operational efficiency," he said.

The INEC chairman also advocated further amendments to the Electoral Act to strengthen the commission's oversight of political parties. He said giving INEC greater regulatory powers to enforce compliance with party constitutions, the Electoral Act and the Constitution could reduce the volume of pre-election litigation.

He disclosed that the commission is considering introducing a mediation mechanism to resolve internal party disputes within three months as an alternative to prolonged court battles.

Amupitan further proposed that all political party disputes be concluded at least one year before a general election to prevent last-minute litigation from disrupting the electoral process.