The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, believes that the commission can’t be genuinely independent unless it has financial autonomy.
Amupitan made the assertion on Thursday while speaking on reforms needed to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He argued that an electoral commission dependent on the executive for funding could face challenges in exercising its constitutional mandate with complete independence, stressing that financial autonomy is critical to enhancing public confidence in the electoral system.
According to him, granting INEC direct access to its statutory funds would reinforce its institutional independence, improve operational efficiency and shield the commission from undue influence.
“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.
Amupitan urged the National Assembly and other stakeholders to prioritise constitutional and electoral reforms that guarantee the commission’s financial and administrative independence, maintaining that credible elections depend on strong and autonomous democratic institutions.
