Section 3
Establishment of the Independent National Electoral Commission Fund.(1) There is established the Independent National Electoral Commission Fund (in this Act referred to as “the Fund”).
(2) There shall be paid into the Fund—
(a) such sums and payments received from the Federal Government available to the Commission for the performance of its functions under this Act;
(b) such sums as may be credited to the Fund by way of interest from investments made from the Fund; and
(c) aids, grants or any other accruals to the Commission in order to perform its functions.
(3) The election funds due to the Commission for any general elections are to be released to the Commission not later than one year before the next general election.
(4) Disbursements from the Fund shall be made in accordance with rules set out by the Commission.
This provision provides for funding for INEC. The funding sources are to include federal government appropriation, as well as investments, aid, grants, etc. It also provides for early release of funds to INEC, not later than one year before the general election.
Funding of INEC has been a contentious issue as this is tied to its independence and effectiveness. INEC was beholden to the executive on funding and had no financial autonomy when it was first established. The absence of a clear funding framework has led to bureaucratic delays in approval and disbursement of funds and has led to adjustments to planning and scheduled elections. Following recommendations and a constitution amendment in 2010, INEC was placed on first line charge i.e., direct funding from the Consolidated Revenue of the Federation (See Section 80 of the CFRN). Recent amendment to this section in 2022, went further to mandate that such funds be released to INEC not later than one year to the elections.
