KABUL (SW) – The Independent Election Commission announced on Thursday it would need at least $ 192 million to hold the forthcoming landmark presidential elections in the country.
Mohammad Abdullah, member of the IEC, told a press conference that the Afghan government and international backers would be required to fund this process. He said the financial backers of the electoral process are partners, but are awaiting a final draft budget from the IEC.
The presidential polls are set to take place in September later this year.
Last year, the Wolesi Jirga (lower house) polls cost an estimated $ 120 million. The government paid only $ 11 million of it, and the rest was paid by the international donors.
A day earlier, Shamroz Khan Masjidi, spokesman for the MoF, told Salam Watandar the international community and donor agencies have pledged to support the election process, however, in case of non-availability of funds from elsewhere, the MoF would be in position to fund the polls.
The MoF official said the electoral commission has so far not presented its draft budget proposal for the elections.
ENDS
