2023: INEC releases stunning revelation, says N100bn not enough to conduct polls

2023: INEC releases stunning revelation, says N100bn not enough to conduct polls

  • The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that more funds are needed for the conduct of the 2023 general election
  • The commission's chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, made this known in Abuja on Friday, November 5, while appearing before a Senate committee on INEC
  • Yakubu noted that said the commission has earmarked N7.3bn for the procurement of none sensitive materials and logistics

FCT, Abuja - Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Friday, November 5, spoke about the conduct of the 2023 general election.

Daily Trust reports that he said the N100 billion earmarked for the conduct of 2023 general elections in next year’s budget estimates is grossly inadequate.

INEC says N100bn is not enough to conduct the general election.
NYSC DG, Brigadier Shuaibu Ibrahim visits some polling units in Awka South, Anambra State during the governorship election. Credit: Emmanuel Osodi.
Source: UGC

Legit.ng gathered that Yakubu disclosed this when he appeared before the Senate committee on INEC to defend the commission’s 2022 budget estimates.

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He said while N189bn was appropriated for the 2019 general elections, that of 2023 could not be N100bn only.

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The INEC boss noted that the N100bn was the first tranche for the 2023 general elections while N40bn was the commission’s annual budgetary allocation.

He said:

“We are already in touch with the Federal Ministry of Finance on the additional requirements for the 2023 general elections.
“Either we come to the National Assembly to defend the budget before the committee or we would do what we did in 2019 when the executive just submitted the proposal to the National Assembly and we came to defend it.
“We would need more money because we’ve expanded our polling units and we are introducing new technology for elections among many other new innovations. The number of registered voters will increase beyond the 84 million for the 2019 general elections.”

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Breaking: Anambra governor releases list of 10 LGAs where APC has allegedly written results before voting, party reacts

Giving a breakdown of proposed expenditure for upcoming elections, the INEC boss said the commission has earmarked N7.3bn for the procurement of none sensitive materials and logistics.

He added:

“We also budgeted N7bn for the conduct of Ekiti and Osun governorship election including the possibility of runoffs.
“I am not sure it would be adequate. We are monitoring party congresses and primaries right from the ward levels by direct means. We have 8,809 wards and 18 political parties. We have types of elections."

Governor Obiano says APC has written results before voting began in Anambra

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state raised the alarm over an alleged plan by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to declare written results of the governorship election in 10 local government areas.

It was reported that he made the allegation on Friday evening, November 5, through the commissioner for information and public enlightenment, C Don Adinuba.

The governor said the statement was to alert INEC, the security agencies, journalists, election observers, civil society organizations and the international community of the alleged grand plot.

Source: Legit.ng

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