The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) told the National Assembly on Monday that it would require ₦305 billion as projected expenditure for the 2023 general elections.
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, disclosed when he appeared before the Senator Barau Jibrin(APC, Kano North) led Senate Committee on Appropriations.
According to Mr Yakubu, ₦100 billion out of the ₦305 billion earmarked for the Commission has already been released, leaving a balance of ₦205 billion.
Meanwhile, the Senate has disclosed that it would consider and pass the 2022 Appropriation Bill Tuesday.
Senator Jibrin, who spoke with journalists after the budget session with INEC, said that with the 2022 budget proposal of INEC now captured, the panel would lay the report on 2022 Appropriation Bill tomorrow (Tuesday) and “it will be considered and passed same day by the Senate.”
Recall that the Senate Committee on Appropriations had, in view of the 2023 general elections, invited the INEC Chairman to table before it projected expenditure for the election for the purpose of capturing it in the 2022 budget billed for passage by both chambers of the National Assembly Tuesday, this week.
The INEC Chairman also explained that the ₦305 billion is different from ₦40 billion yearly budget of the electoral body.
He added that though ₦100 billion had been given to the Commission out of the total projected expenses, it would not be enough for adequate preparation.
