The Elections Commission(EC), on Sunday, announced that the government allocated a budget of MVR 89 million to fund the parliamentary elections slated for April 6.
Speaking at a press conference, EC member Ahmed Akram stated that the Finance Ministry originally allocated MVR 80 million for the parliamentary election. At this point in time, EC was planning to establish an electronic voting system and insisted on MVR 123 million.
Although an additional MVR 9 million was added as a contingency after EC sent a letter to the parliamentary budget review committee, plans of holding an electronic vote were abandoned.
EC President Ahmed Shareef also stated that the commission would only spend on activities that are included in the budget.
While EC has already started making preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections, individuals who wish to contest have until late January to submit their candidacy.
Political parties have already begun their campaign activities for April’s elections.
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