The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has raised concerns over the loss of experienced personnel to migration and called for improved funding and staff welfare as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan made the appeal on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, in Abuja.
The INEC chairman called for stronger financial support for the electoral body.
According to him, inadequate remuneration has contributed to the departure of skilled staff from the Commission, warning that the situation could create a significant skills gap as more experienced personnel approach retirement.
He stressed that improved welfare packages and competitive remuneration were necessary to retain qualified personnel, boost staff morale and strengthen public confidence in the Commission’s work.
The INEC chairman urged RMAFC to support increased and sustainable funding for the Commission, noting that its constitutional responsibilities extend beyond the conduct of elections to include continuous voter registration, political party registration and the management of election-related litigation.
He explained that INEC maintains offices in the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and all 774 local government areas, with the Federal Government bearing the cost of running the nationwide structure.
