Group tasks NASS on INEC polls budget

The Independent Service Delivery Monitoring Group (ISDMG), has called on the National Assembly to pass the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) budget without further delay. In a communiqué issued at the end of a one-day Roundtable meeting on the 2019 Election Budget Impasse held in Abuja, the group said the delay may jeopardise the preparations for the 2019 elections. It further warned that all forms of intrigues and politics associated with the budget should cease immediately for national interest and good.

The stakeholders drawn from different interest groups of the Civil Society, the political class, the media and citizens among others, condemned the use of thugs and irresponsible police and other security personnel to harass citizens, INEC officials and disruption of elections.

The ISDMG faulted the delayed of the INEC budget which was submitted since January, 2018 by the commission, adding that the logjam regarding the INEC budget was unacceptable and unnecessary.

The communiqué signed by Dr. Chima Amadi, of ISDMG, Faith Nwadishi, of Centre for Transparency Advocacy, Abdul Mahmud, Public Interest Lawyers League; Comrade Sheriff Mulade, of Center for Peace and Environmental Justice; among others, urged INEC to continue to be proactive by submitting their budget proposal in good time in a transparent and open manner.

“We note the hard fact that the INEC budget is not like contracts that can be hidden from public purview as activities of INEC are open and easily verifiable by citizens, stakeholders and in fact, any interested party”, the communiqué added. While commending the openness of the budget process, the group noted that this should be encouraged and asked that Nigerians should support INEC as it strives within the ambits of integrity to conduct credible, free and fair elections in Nigeria.

 

 

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