Utibe Ekoson
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has requested the sum of 50 billion naira for its 2023 budget, an increment of 10 billion naira compared to its 2022 budget which was 40 billion naira.This was contained in a document submitted by INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yukubu during the commission’s budget defense session in the Senate.The National Assembly had already approved 305 billion naira for the conduct of the 2023 general elections.In the budget document, the sum of 2.6 billion naira is earmarked for off season elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states expected to hold on November 11, 2023.During the session, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Kabiru Gaya said the committee will properly oversees the electoral body to ensure it is prepared for the upcoming elections.