Think of this as the “price tag” for Nigeria’s next big democratic event. Basically, the people in charge of voting (INEC) just went to the government and said, “Here is how much money we need to make sure everyone can vote in 2027.”
Here is the breakdown of the ₦874 Billion plan in simple terms:
1. Where is the money going?
Running an election for an entire country is incredibly expensive. INEC broke the costs down into a few main buckets:
- The Groundwork (₦376 Billion): This covers the actual “moving parts”—transporting ballot boxes, setting up polling stations, and paying staff.
- The Tech (₦209 Billion): This is for the computers, tablets, and software used to verify voters and send results.
- The Buildings & Gear (₦155 Billion): Buying new equipment and fixing up the offices where the work happens.
- The Paperwork (₦92 Billion): General administration and the massive amount of printing required.
- The “Just in Case” Fund (₦42 Billion): Extra money for unexpected costs.
2. Helping the Students (NYSC)
Since thousands of graduates (NYSC members) help run the voting booths, the government wants to make sure they are treated well.
- Each student worker is set to get ₦127,000 for their hard work.
- They also get extra cash for food and 5 days of training so they know exactly what to do on election day.
3. The “Drama” Over Digital Results
There has been a big debate in the Senate (the people who make the laws) about how results should be sent.
- The Argument: Some people wanted results sent instantly from a tablet to the internet (Electronic Transmission) so nobody could change the numbers. Others were worried the internet might fail.
- The Protest: High-profile leaders and citizens protested because they wanted the process to be more transparent.
- The Result: The Senate changed their mind! They officially agreed that results must be sent electronically to a public portal, but they will keep the paper versions as a backup just in case the Wi-Fi goes down.
