The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Tuesday adjusted
its budget for the 2019 general elections from N189 billion to N143
billion in compliance with the directive from the National Assembly.
Speaking with journalists at the end of a closed-door meeting on
Tuesday, Chairman, National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral
Matters, Suleiman Nazif 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.
The sub-committee is expected to complete its assignment on Wednesday.
Also speaking with journalists, Senator Aliyu Sabi (Niger North)
stated 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.
Sabi said part of the reason for setting up the sub-committee was to
speed up the legislative proccesses for the election budget.
DAILY POST recalls that the joint committee had on Monday ended weeks
of deadlock after it reached a decision to adopt President Muhammadu
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.