03 Mar 2015

The minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale has proposed a P63.3 million budget for Independence Electoral Commission (IEC) for the 2015/16 financial year.

It comprises a P51.8 million recurrent estimates as well as P11.5 million development estimates.

He said recurrent estimates represent an increase of P3.8 million from this financial year. He explained that the increase was as a result of estimates for vehicle replacement and inflationary adjustments.

He said P3 million from the recurrent estimates would be used to finance external travels, including planned attachment of IEC officers in SADC countries for capacity building in order to share experiences in electoral matters.

Close to half of the recurrent estimates (P23.1 million) will be used to pay salaries and allowances, while about P4 million will be spent on vehicles replacement.

From the development estimates, the minister stated that P8 million will pay for construction of construction of IEC office blocks and staff houses in Tutume and Bobonong. The rest of the development estimates will be spent on procurement of consultancy services for review of electoral processes, and consultancy services on citizen engagement in electoral processes.

Mr Molale told Parliament that though the IEC managed to hold successful general elections last year, the Commission faces a challenge of capacity constraints.

“I have to note that there is still a dire need to strengthen capacity at the Commission’s twenty five outstation offices.

 These offices face serious capacity constraints with compromised coordination as all report directly to head office. If the office of the Secretary is to make any sustainable and meaningful impact, there is need to build capacity by establishing district coordination offices,” Mr Molale said.

He explained that the Commission’s new organisational structure, which was approved last year, will help to address the limited capacity. ENDS