The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Mohammed Haruna, has announced that the commission has received over N500 billion, which accounts for more than 50 percent of the budget allocated for the 2027 general elections.

During an interview with Arise News on Friday regarding election readiness and funding, Haruna expressed that the disbursement of these funds is a positive development. 

However, he also highlighted INEC’s concerns regarding outstanding debts from previous elections and the timely release of the remaining funds necessary to fully implement their plans.

He said, “Currently, we have received more than half of the allocated funds, approximately N500 billion or slightly more. This represents over 50% of the total amount.

“Naturally, there are still some issues to address. We have debts from the last general election due to insufficient funding at that time. 

“We owe contractors around six billion, and from the statutory allocation of over 140 billion for that year, we still have an outstanding amount of over 20 billion. I believe it was just this month that the first 500 billion was released, about a week or two ago.”

In response to concerns regarding delayed funding, Haruna stated that INEC has already commenced preparations for the 2027 elections, which includes plans to acquire additional BVAS devices and other essential election materials.

“Certainly, we are concerned. Everyone shares this concern. Ultimately, the funds must be available. Therefore, it is encouraging news that more than half has been released. 

“However, even prior to this, we have been engaged in extensive preparations. For example, the Director of ICT, along with another individual, traveled to China to finalize the importation of BVAS, which is crucial to our current electoral process.

“As I mentioned, in anticipation of this, we have been undertaking significant preparatory work,” Haruna emphasized.

Amid growing concerns over possible violence ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State, the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Friday visited the state and disclosed that no fewer than 20 people had allegedly lost their lives within the past few months.

Disu spoke during a meeting at the headquarters of the Osun State Police Command in Osogbo, where he warned political actors against turning the electoral process into a violent confrontation.

The police chief assured residents and political stakeholders that adequate security arrangements would be put in place to guarantee a peaceful election.

According to him, he had received detailed briefings from the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, and also held discussions with Governor Ademola Adeleke during his visit.

“If my records are accurate, over 20 people have been killed within a number of months. We are preparing for an election, not a war,” Disu said.

He explained that security agencies had received numerous allegations and complaints involving members of different political parties in the state.

The IGP further revealed that the commissioner of police had informed him about certain suspects allegedly being shielded inside the Government House, a claim he described as disturbing.

“I raised the issue during my meeting with the governor, and he responded clearly that even if his own child was involved in criminal activity, such a person should be arrested,” Disu stated, noting that senior police officers, including the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the zone, witnessed the discussion.

The police boss stressed that anyone involved in acts of violence or killings would face the full weight of the law, warning that criminal activities would no longer be tolerated.

“Nobody can take another person’s life and expect to move around freely. That is why I came down from Abuja personally to address this issue,” he said.

Disu reiterated that the police would provide a secure atmosphere for political campaigns and the election itself, insisting that democratic activities must be conducted peacefully.

“We will ensure that all parties campaign freely and safely. But those planning violence should know that it will not be business as usual. Human life is sacred, and no one has the right to take it,” he added.

Meanwhile, in a video of the meeting between the IGP and Governor Adeleke, the governor maintained that his administration remained committed to peace and stability in the state.

Adeleke also reportedly declared that he had no objection to the arrest of any individual found to be involved in criminal activities.

The development comes amid renewed political tension in the state, following calls by the Imole Campaign Council, which coordinates Adeleke’s re-election campaign, for the redeployment of Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan over allegations of bias and partisanship.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has extended the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise by two weeks and launched a new online self-service registration platform for first-time voters.

This is contained in a statement by the Commission on Friday.

The CVR, which began on 18th August 2025 and originally scheduled to end on Friday, 10th July 2026, will now run until Friday, 24th July 2026.

According to the statement, the extension followed a review of the exercise and feedback from INEC state offices, political parties, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders.

The commission stated that the additional time is aimed at giving more eligible Nigerians who are yet to register a fair opportunity to be included in the Register of Voters ahead of future elections.

On the new self-service online registration, INEC will from Wednesday, 8th July 2026 introduce a fully online self-service registration option for eligible first-time voters.

The service, it said will be accessible via the Commission’s dedicated portal: cvr.inecnigeria.org.

According to INEC, the new system will allow eligible citizens to complete their voter registration including biometric capture  using their personal devices from anywhere, without visiting an INEC office.

The platform incorporates robust identity verification, biometric validation, and backend checks to maintain the integrity of the National Register of Voters.

“The extension underscores the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that every eligible Nigerian has a fair and reasonable opportunity to be included in the Register of Voters,” the statement said.

INEC urged unregistered eligible citizens to take advantage of both the extended period and the new digital option.

“The Commission remains committed to a credible, inclusive and accessible voter registration process, and to advancing the use of technology to improve citizens’ experience in the electoral process,” it added.