MVR 90 million can only fund one round of elections: Fuad
Fuad said an additional MVR 35 million was required for printing ballot papers, allowances of officials, transportation expenses and other expenses for holding
By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
Elections Commission (EC) President Fuad Thaufeeq said on Sunday that the MVR 90 million allocated in the proposed 2023 budget for holding the presidential election will be enough for a single round of elections.
The commission on Sunday brought it to the notice of parliament as the finance ministry's allocation for holding the presidential election was MVR 35 million less than what the EC had asked for.
Fuad told Atoll Times:
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EC requested finance ministry to allocate a total of MVR 125 million in the budget for two rounds of presidential elections
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He, however, said that with the present budget, a second round of elections cannot be held
"We have concerns about the budget. That is, there is only one round that can be funded with the current budget. A letter has been sent to parliament today in this regard," he said.
Fuad said an additional MVR 35 million was required for printing ballot papers, allowances of officials, transportation expenses and other expenses for holding a second round.
"Hopefully, the money will be settled before we move to the second round," Fuad said.
The budget for the previous election in 2018 was MVR 80 million. With two candidates in the fray, a second round was not held.
