The National Assembly joint committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has canvassed for improved funding for INEC.

Specifically, the committee has requested for increased budgetary provision for the  Commission in the 2024 fiscal year. 

The chairman of senate committee on INEC Senator Ali Sharafadeen, observed that the envelope given to INEC is barely enough to pay salaries, saying and they have two off-cycle gubernatorial elections as wall as re-run and bye-elections in 2024.

Sharafadeen spoke on Wednesday shortly after submitting report of the committee on INEC to Appropriation committee.

According to the lawmaker there is need to increase the budgetary allocation to the Commission.

He lamented that relying on Supplementary Budgets would not be the proper thing to do, stressing primaries for 2024 elections are slated for the first quarter of the year.

“The envelope given to INEC is barely enough to pay salaries, and they have two off-cycle gubernatorial elections as wall as re-run and bye-elections in 2024.

“There is need to increase their budget now because supplementary budget can not work; primaries for elections are commencing around February, so certainly it’s not a good time to bring supplementary budgets.

“The best thing is to make the necessary provisions now and that’s is why we are pleading for increased budgetary provision for INEC in the 2024 fiscal year” he said.