Lawmakers Slash IEC’s 2027 Budget by D61.9 Million Ahead of Crucial Elections

By Fatou Sillah

The National Assembly has approved a D61.9 million reduction in the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) proposed D669.7 million budget for 2027, trimming funds earmarked for fuel, election materials, training, allowances and travel ahead of next year’s parliamentary and local government elections.

The decision followed deliberations on the commission’s budget estimates, during which lawmakers raised concerns about the potential impact of the cuts on the IEC’s ability to conduct elections nationwide.

The National Assembly Member for Central Badibou questioned the proposed reduction in fuel and lubricants, warning that inadequate funding could hamper the commission’s operations during the parliamentary elections scheduled for April 2027.

He urged the Minority Leader, who also chairs the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC), to reconsider the cuts, emphasizing the extensive travel required to organize elections across the country.

“If you reduce their fuel and lubricants for this, I hope we will be able to have a successful National Assembly election,” he cautioned.

The FPAC chairman, however, defended the committee’s recommendations, noting that the IEC’s proposed 2027 budget represented a 32.5 percent increase over its 2026 allocation.

He said the committee had recommended an increase of approximately D113 million while identifying areas where expenditure could be reduced without compromising the commission’s electoral responsibilities.

According to the chairman, the proposed reductions followed a detailed review of the IEC’s spending plans and consultations with the commission, during which both sides agreed that savings could be made in expenditures associated with the parliamentary and local government elections.

“If you are telling us to still further reduce that, that will fall far short of what has been recommended,” he said, defending the committee’s position.

The budget adjustments come as the IEC prepares for a demanding electoral calendar in 2027, beginning with National Assembly elections in April, followed by councillor elections in May and mayoral and chairperson elections in June.

Following the debate, the Speaker put the amended budget estimates, reflecting a total reduction of D61,907,375, to a vote. The National Assembly subsequently approved the cuts.

The decision leaves the IEC with a reduced allocation of approximately D607.8 million for 2027, raising questions about how the commission will manage its resources while conducting three rounds of elections within as many months.