The concerns followed Thursday’s disclosure by the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and Publicity, Mohammed Haruna, who stated that the commission had yet to receive budgetary releases for the 2027 general elections.

Haruna, who spoke during a cross-sectoral interactive session organised by the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Abuja, however added that the commission had already commenced preparations in line with the Electoral Act.

He explained that while the law provides that election funds should be released not later than six months before the general election, INEC had begun arrangements for the procurement of critical election materials, including new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines to replace devices that were damaged, lost or not recovered after previous elections.

Haruna also disclosed that the commission planned mock presidential election exercises to test its technology infrastructure and prevent a recurrence of the technical glitches that affected the INEC Result Viewing Portal during the 2023 presidential election.

INEC has proposed a budget of N873.78bn for the 2027 elections, covering election operations, technology deployment and capital expenditure, making it one of the largest electoral budgets in the country’s history.

Election experts say timely funding remains one of the most critical factors in election planning because many sensitive materials, technology platforms and specialised equipment are sourced internationally and require months of production, testing and delivery before deployment across Nigeria’s more than 176,000 polling units.

Over the years, INEC has maintained that early release of appropriated funds enables it to procure sensitive and non-sensitive materials, recruit and train ad hoc personnel, upgrade election technology, conduct voter education campaigns and fine-tune logistics well ahead of election day.

The issue has assumed greater significance following the logistical and technological challenges that trailed the 2023 general elections, particularly the delayed upload of presidential election results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal.

Delayed funding threatens 2027 polls – Opposition

Against this backdrop, opposition parties said any delay in funding the electoral commission could have far-reaching implications for the credibility and smooth conduct of the elections.

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the delay as disturbing.

He said, “It has very serious implications because INEC has to carry out a lot of procurement, many of which are imports.

“If those procurements have not been made by now, it may pose serious threats to the election in the months ahead.”

He stressed that election management requires long-term planning and early deployment of resources, warning that any delay in funding could affect the commission’s ability to meet key timelines.

Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party warned that delayed funding could undermine the integrity of the electoral process.

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the Publicity Secretary of the Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, said elections operate on strict constitutional and administrative timelines that should not be compromised.

He stated, “The failure to adequately fund the Independent National Electoral Commission at this stage may be part of a broader strategy not only to undermine the electoral process but to derail it entirely. Elections are time-bound, and many critical activities must be carried out according to strict timelines.

“Most of the required materials and logistics cannot simply be procured off the shelf at the last minute. The continued delay in releasing funds therefore reflects a grave level of irresponsibility and a lack of commitment to democracy.

“The National Assembly and the executive arm of government must urgently ensure that INEC is adequately funded and that all relevant agencies receive the necessary resources to effectively discharge their responsibilities ahead of the elections.”

Also, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Abdulmumin Abdulsalam, described the delay as worrisome but expressed confidence that the executive and the National Assembly would ensure the electoral body received the necessary funding before it became a major problem.

He said, “Of course, this delay is a source of concern because the companies providing those services and materials will require time to produce them. Besides, many are not done in Nigeria because of security features.

“However, I don’t think it can mar the conduct of the forthcoming election since the executive arm of government is responsible for funding INEC.

“I am sure they equally know the implication. I also want to believe that the National Assembly, as an institution, is monitoring the situation and will do the needful to ensure we don’t fall into a quagmire.

“I have a strong conviction that something will be done in time for INEC to make adequate preparations in terms of staff training, procurement of devices, materials and other logistics.”

Simultaneously, voters elected 240 councillors to represent their respective wards.

Across polling units in the state, electoral officials commenced accreditation and voting early in the day as eligible voters turned out to exercise their civic responsibility.

Ballot papers were distributed in an orderly manner, while election observers monitored proceedings and security personnel maintained a visible presence to ensure peace and public safety.

The exercise witnessed voter participation in several communities, reflecting growing public interest in grassroots governance and local administration.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya cast his vote at the Yahaya Umaru Polling Unit in Gombe, where he commended the peaceful conduct of the elections.

He described the peaceful atmosphere as a testament to the maturity of the electorate and the commitment of stakeholders to democratic principles.

Governor Yahaya has also appealed to all political parties and candidates to accept the outcome of the elections in the spirit of sportsmanship, urging them to place the interest of democracy and the development of Gombe State above partisan considerations.

Similar reports of peaceful voting emerged from the state’s three senatorial districts, where both contestants and voters expressed confidence in the credibility of the electoral process.

Speaking after casting his vote, one of the voters, Ishaku Babayo, commended the orderly conduct of the polls and encouraged citizens to continue participating in democratic processes.

Election observers under the umbrella of the Network of Civil Society Groups lauded the exercise, describing the voter turnout as encouraging.

Chairman of the group in Gombe State, Ibrahim Yusuf, said the large turnout demonstrated the people’s determination to strengthen democratic governance at the grassroots and improve service delivery through accountable local leadership.

Responding to the senator’s remarks, Yesufu said lawmakers should not see themselves as victims of the country’s security and political problems.

According to her, they have the authority and responsibility to influence decisions made at the national level.

She maintained that members of the National Assembly are responsible for approving and supporting government actions, adding that they should be held accountable for the direction the country is taking under the current administration.

She wrote: “Senators should stop infantilizing themselves! They are not victims. They are enablers of whatever evil Tinubu is carrying out in this country.

“They are the ones giving him the power to do all the shenanigans he is currently doing.”