NASS Approves N143B Budget for 2019 Elections

Pat Stevens/

The Joint Committee on Electoral Matters in the National Assembly has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to revert to the N143 billion 2019 election budget proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari in his letter to the assembly

Arising from a closed-door meeting at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, today the committee rejected the N189 billion proposed budget of INEC.

The President had proposed the approval of the INEC budget in trances of N143 and the balance in 2019, but the Electoral body in its own proposal, requested that the total sum be approved and released in one fell swoop.

The Chairman of the Committee Suleiman Nazif, told newsmen after the meeting that INEC has been advised to return on Tuesday with a budget proposal that will reflect the N143 Billion presented by the President.

“The joint committee has sat and has deliberated the position to adopt the N143 billion as presented by Mr. President at this point in time. It is also the wish of this committee that INEC represents their budget of N143bn as requested by Mr. President.

“Therefore INEC has an opportunity to reprioritize and this committee will be ready to receive them. This committee will be reconvening tomorrow by 1.00 O’clock so that we can consider the presentation by INEC,” he said.