INEC concurs with NASS, adjusts 2019 polls budget to N143bn

In compliance with the decision of the National Assembly to approve a sum of N143 billion for the conduct of next year’s general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has adjusted its budget from N189 billion to N143 billion.

Speaking with journalists at the end of a closed-door meeting on Tuesday, Chairman, National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters, Senator Suleiman Nazif (PDP, Bauchi) confirmed that INEC has submitted a new budget document reflecting the sum of N143 billion as originally requested by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Nazif said a sub-committee has been established to look into the details of the new budget submitted by INEC and it is expected to complete its assignment today.

A member of the joint committee, Senator Aliyu Sabi (APC, Niger North) gave assurances that the committee is determined to urgently complete work on the election budget.

He denied allegations that the committee was deliberately slowing down the process to frustrate moves to make the National Assembly to reconvene.

According to him, part of the reason for setting up the sub-committee was to speed up the legislative process for the election budget.

The joint committee had on Monday ended weeks of deadlock after it reached a decision to adopt President Buhari’s version of the election expenses put at N143 billion, directing INEC to reduce its own version to reflect the wish of the President.