Parliament approves GH¢786.9M budget for Electoral Commission

On Wednesday, Parliament approved a budget of GH¢786.9 million to cover the services of the Electoral Commission (EC) for the fiscal year ending 31st December 2024.

The House additionally called upon the Finance Ministry to address the GH¢140.7 million shortfall to safeguard the integrity and smooth execution of the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.

Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, who also chairs the Special Budget Committee, moved the motion for the budgetary allocation.

He highlighted that the EC had originally budgeted GH¢932.03 million for 2024, with the Finance Ministry allocating GH¢786.9 million.

The EC emphasized that the GH¢140.7 million shortfall could impede the timely and proper conduct of the scheduled Presidential and Parliamentary Elections in December 2024.

This led the Special Budget Committee to advocate for the full GH¢932.03 million to be provided.

The proposed activities and expenditures outlined by the EC included the procurement of additional Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs) and Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) equipment, recruitment and training of electoral officers, replacement of staff, Data Centre upgrades, and ICT equipment purchases.

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu underscored the time sensitivity of the EC's activities, emphasizing their critical role in the stability of the country.

He expressed concerns that any impediment to the EC's plans could be costly.

Mrs. Patricia Appiagyei, Member of the Special Budget Committee and Chairperson of Parliament's Committee on Government Assurance, seconded the motion.

She raised concerns about the quality of indelible ink used during the District Level Elections on December 19, 2023, and urged the Ministry of Finance to ensure that the EC is adequately equipped for credible elections in 2024.

The debate also saw Mr Kofi Iddie Adams and Mr Ahmed Ibrahim from the National Democratic Congress stressing the importance of maintaining the use of indelible ink and the timely release of budgetary allocations to the EC.

Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh, the Majority Chief Whip, highlighted the need for collective efforts to ensure adequate funding for the electoral body to fulfil its mandate.