GH�67million Needed For 2010 District Level Election

The Electoral Commission (EC) will need an estimated amount of GH�67million to conduct the 2010 district level election in the country. Out of the required amount only GH�10million has been provided for in the 2010 budget for the EC. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning therefore hopes to seek donor support to make up the difference for the EC. The estimated amount of GH�67million exceeds the amount of GH�55.8million which was released for the 2008 presidential and parliamentary election by GH�11million because the conduct of district level election is more expensive than that of presidential and parliamentary election. These were contained in the report of the Special Budget Committee of parliament on the 2010 budget estimates of the EC which was presented to parliament today by the majority leader and chairman of the committee Hon. Alban Bagbin. The presentation of the report followed a motion moved in parliament today the Minister of Finance and Economic planning Dr. Kwabena Duffuor for the approval of the 2010 budget allocation of GH�21.6million for the EC. Supporting the motion, some MPs urged government to adequately resource the EC to enable it ensure free, fair and transparent election in 2012.