Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, yesterday, revealed that the electoral umpire would spend N355 billion in the 2023 general elections.

Already, N305 billion has been approved by the lawmakers.

However, the electoral body said it has budgeted another N50 billion for its annual budget in 2023, an increment of N10 billion compared to 2022 budget which was N40 billion as approved by the National Assembly.

Yakubu spoke when he appeared at the Senate Committee on INEC.

In the 2023 budgeted submitted to the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters for consideration, N2.6 billion was earmarked for off-season election in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa governorship elections billed for November 11, 2023.

According to INEC boss, the N2.6 billion would cater for provision for election, referenda and recalls expenses such as operation cost covering printing of ballot papers, result sheets, printing of forms and envelopes, materials and supplies, logistics expenses, honorarium for officials, supervision, RAC preparation, security /intervention support etc

“Election ICT system support, printing of voters register for off season and bye elections , F$A Election fund management logistic,” he said.

In the 2023 nugget of the Commission, N50 million will be spent on purchase of fire fighting equipment, motor vehicles – N150 million, N250 million to repair offices and residential buildings.

Sun