ECN budget cut by N$40m
With the risk of surprise by-elections at any given time, there is concern over the operations of the ECN with two thirds of the budget going to their wage bill.
The operations of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) are expected to be severely challenged during this financial year due to the drastic budget cuts.
Speaker of the National Assembly Peter Katjavivi said during the budget motivation of the ECN that its proposed budget has been cut from N$106 million to N$66 million, representing a N$40 million cut.
According to him the entire capital projects budget was cut to zero for the next three-year Medium Term expenditure Framework period.
Katjavivi said from the N$66 million an amount of N$44.6 million has been put aside and remains intact for the personnel expenditure, for both permanent and temporary staff.
However, the non-personnel expenditure has been reduced to N$22 million.
“Usually, an amount of N$22 million under normal circumstances is merely for one division in the ECN and not for the whole agency,” said Katjavivi.
He added that the N$22 million will be distributed among all divisions of the ECN.
“Put differently, the entire operations of the ECN will be greatly challenged during the 2017/18 financial year due to the drastic budget cuts.”
He further said that an amount of about N$5.5 million has been allocated for voter education.
He said that for the administration of elections N$5.5 million has been allocated.
He, however, stressed that the ECN must make contingency provisions for by-elections.
“In the real world, by-elections are a real possibility. They may emerge without a warning in case of a vacancy as a result of the resignation or death of any of the councillors of any regional council.”
Also an amount of N$11.1 million has been allocated to ensure the smooth running of the day-to-day activities of the ECN.
“The budget of the ECN has been cut with an amount of N$40 million and the entire operational budget will face major challenges. Despite such challenges, hopefully, the ECN has to discharge these duties successfully and thereby uphold the democratic principles and tenets of democracy enshrined in our constitution and the electoral law of the Republic of Namibia,” said Katjavivi.
ELLANIE SMIT
Speaker of the National Assembly Peter Katjavivi said during the budget motivation of the ECN that its proposed budget has been cut from N$106 million to N$66 million, representing a N$40 million cut.
According to him the entire capital projects budget was cut to zero for the next three-year Medium Term expenditure Framework period.
Katjavivi said from the N$66 million an amount of N$44.6 million has been put aside and remains intact for the personnel expenditure, for both permanent and temporary staff.
However, the non-personnel expenditure has been reduced to N$22 million.
“Usually, an amount of N$22 million under normal circumstances is merely for one division in the ECN and not for the whole agency,” said Katjavivi.
He added that the N$22 million will be distributed among all divisions of the ECN.
“Put differently, the entire operations of the ECN will be greatly challenged during the 2017/18 financial year due to the drastic budget cuts.”
He further said that an amount of about N$5.5 million has been allocated for voter education.
He said that for the administration of elections N$5.5 million has been allocated.
He, however, stressed that the ECN must make contingency provisions for by-elections.
“In the real world, by-elections are a real possibility. They may emerge without a warning in case of a vacancy as a result of the resignation or death of any of the councillors of any regional council.”
Also an amount of N$11.1 million has been allocated to ensure the smooth running of the day-to-day activities of the ECN.
“The budget of the ECN has been cut with an amount of N$40 million and the entire operational budget will face major challenges. Despite such challenges, hopefully, the ECN has to discharge these duties successfully and thereby uphold the democratic principles and tenets of democracy enshrined in our constitution and the electoral law of the Republic of Namibia,” said Katjavivi.
ELLANIE SMIT
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