INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu (Monday) appeared before the House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Committees to defend the Commission’s N18 billion Supplementary Budget.
He explained that N10.6 billion out of the sum would enable the Commission to pay its staff the 40% increase in Peculiar Allowance approved by the Federal Government in April this year.
At the same time, over N3 billion is meant to pay INEC Staff the award of N35,000 approved for each Public Servant across the country for six months by the Federal Government, as well as the new Duty Tour Allowance.
He said the Commission will spend N1.6 billion on the conduct of 11 outstanding bye-elections, comprising 5 federal constituencies, 4 State Constituencies and 2 Senatorial Districts.
Another N1.4 billion is for the augmentation of the cost differentials in the budget for the Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi governorship elections.