By Fatima Saka
The Chairman Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission Senator Alli Sharafadeen Abiodun has noticed a shortfall in the 2024 budget, hereby calling on the Committee on Appropriation to reconsider the budget circle.
He added that the shortfall is because the envelope given to the commission is barely enough to pay salaries.
The Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District disclosed this to the newsmen after budget presentation and submission before the Senate Committee on Appropriation on Wednesday in Abuja at the National Assembly Complex.
The chairman stressed that there were two off-cycle gubernatorial elections, adding that there were also some court orders by elections. “Apart from the ones that came about because of people who left the parliament to take off in the state appointments.
“So certainly there is a need for us to take part. The envelope given, we have been able to provide it.
“What we are able to provide is barely enough to pay salaries. So there is a need for us to add more.
“The idea is not about the amount now, the idea that some people are thinking about is the fact that we could come with a supplementary budget. But that cannot work in this circumstance. Because we have what we call pre-election, election and post-election.
“And primaries for elections will be commencing around February, March, certainly it’s not a time that we can bring supplement budgets.
“So the best thing is to make all the necessary provisions right now, and that’s why we’re pleading with the Appropriation Committee to look into the matter.
“And we have been assured that they have not said yes, but we still have to come
to do some more engagements.”
