INEC To Spend N2.6bn In Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo Governorship Elections

*Sets N355bn For the 2023 General Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it will expend N2.6billion for off-season elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo States, respectively.

In the 2023 budget submitted to the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters for consideration, the Commission said that the sum will cater for provision for elections, referenda and recalls expenses such as Operation dept cost covering, the printing of ballot papers, result sheets, the printing of forms and Envelopes, arterials and supplies, logistics expenses, honorarium for officials, supervision, RAC preparation, security /intervention support etc.

The elections for the three states will hold on November 11, 2023.

INEC also said that it will spend N355 billion to prosecute the 2023 general elections.

Already, N305 billion has been approved for the conduct of the 2023 general elections by the National Assembly.

But the Electoral body said that it budgeted another N50 billion in its annual budget in 2023, an increase of N10 billion compared to its 2022 budget which was N40 billion as approved by the National Assembly.

Other components of the budget include “Election ICT system support, the printing of voters register for off-season and bye-elections, F$A Election fund management logistic.”

The commission equally revealed that N50 million captured in 2023 will be spent to buy fire fighting equipment, as motor Vehicles will gulp N150 million, while N250 million is earmarked to be used to renovate offices and residential buildings.