The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Yakubu Mahmood, yesterday, said that the 2019 General Elections budget would be ready in seven days.
Mahmood disclosed this at a two-day 2019 Election Project Plan (EPP) Implementation programmme for the senior management staff of the commission in Lagos.
He said: “It is exactly a year today to the 2019 General Elections scheduled for February, 16, 2019, the commission has developed a strategic plan and programme of actions (2017-2021), in full consultation with stakeholders.
“In order to implement the plan, the commission then developed detailed activities and assigned specific responsibilities and time lines for the 2019 general elections under the Election Project Plan (EPP).
There is no time to waste; the 2019 General Elections are already around the corner. These are the last activities before the conduct of the general elections.’’
“We have finalised and validated the election project plan, thereafter, finalise work on the election’s budget for 2019, this will be ready next week. Part of the successful implementation of the election plan is funding and the commission is not unaware that Nigerians are anxious to know the cost of the 2019 General Elections.
The commission believes in optimal utilisation of resources which is dependent on proper planning”.
The INEC boss also said that the recent reports of violation by underage person, following the Kano Local Government Election were deeply disturbing.
“We wish to assure Nigerians that the matter will be fully investigated and we will share the findings of the investigation with the public,’’ he assured.
Mathmood said between July and December, 2017, 3, 978,682 Nigerians were registered afresh nationwide as eligible voters.
He also disclosed that 135, 127 unclaimed Permanent Voter Cards were collected and 166,073 requests made for transfer of PVCs while the commission received 334,086 requests for replacement of PVCs.
In terms of distribution by state, the INEC boss said that Rivers recorded the highest number of voters, followed by Delta and Lagos while Kwara, Gombe and Ondo recorded the lowest.
