The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday presented a total statutory budget of N50 Billion for 2023 Fiscal year for the commission before the senate committee on INEC and Electoral Matters
The senate Committee had last year during 2022 budget consideration approved N305 billion for the conduct of the 2023 general elections as proposed by the Electoral Umpire
With this INEC is expected to spend a total of N355 Billion in 2023 for conduct of 2023 General Election and the Annual Budget.
The 2023 budget of N50 billion for INEC comes with an increment of N10 billion as against N40 Billion approved as expenditure for the commission in 2022
In the 2023 budget submitted to the Senate Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters by the INEC chairman Mahood Yakub for consideration, it has N2.6 billion earmarked for off season elections like Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa Governorship elections expected to be conducted in November 2023
According to INEC, the N2.6 billion will cater for provision for elections, referenda and recalls expenses such as , printing of ballot papers, result sheets , printing of forms , Envelopes materials and supplies .
Others are logistics expenses, honorarium/allowance for officials , supervision, security /intervention support , Election ICT system support, Election official training and recruiting expenses, Election fund management logistic, printing of voter’s registers for off season and bye elections.
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In the 2023 Budget of the agency, N50 million will be spent to buy firefighting equipment, 60 million worth of computers and accessories , office furniture and fittings worth 50 million, motor Vehicles – N150 million, N250 million to repair and renovate office and residential buildings
Others are 2.4 billion on miscellaneous, which comprise provision for entertainment during meetings among others.
Editor : Ena Agbanoma
