Gov't yet to release election cash to EC

Europa 18:13 - 18 May 2016

EC boss Charlotte Osei

The Electoral Commission requested for about GHc 1.5 billion to conduct the general elections, but government through the Finance Ministry allocated GHc 826 million to the EC.

Ghanas Electoral Commission (EC) is yet to receive the full complement of its budgetary allocation needed to conduct the polls, Chairman of the Special Budget Committee and Majority Leader in Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has said.

In an interview with Accra-based Citi FM, Alban Bagbin said "The government made available in the budget over 800 million for the Electoral Commission and we are anticipating a supplementary budget which will be coming soon to the House to make up the gap between the over 800 million and the 1.2 million. But so far the release to the commission is still not proactive."

This has raised concerns among the general public, specifically civil society organisations that the situation could affect the smooth operations of the Commission, which only has six months to go into the general elections.

Meanwhile, the UK, US and the European Union (EU) have provided some financial support for the EC to conduct this year's polls.