Ministry of Finance disbursed Rs17.4b to ECP for general elections

The Ministry of Finance has disbursed additional funds amounting to Rs17.4 billion to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in preparation for the upcoming general elections in Islamabad, it was revealed on Tuesday.

This allocation supplements the initial release of Rs10 billion, bringing the total funds provided by the ministry to the ECP to a cumulative Rs27.4 billion.

The financial infusion comes in the backdrop of uncertainty looming large over holding the next general elections, scheduled for February 8, 2024. Despite this allocation, the ECP has faced challenges as the finance ministry, despite reminders, had not released the complete budgeted amount of Rs42 billion.

Although the Supreme Court has forbidden any discussion regarding a delay in holding elections on February 8, it was revealed a day earlier that the ECP had summoned the finance secretary before the commission to determine reasons for delaying the fund release as it was earlier allocated in the budget.

“The finance ministry has failed to release funds for the general elections and that is why the finance secretary has been summoned before the commission today (Monday),” ECP officials shared with The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity.

The ECP officials maintained that the poll body immediately needed Rs17 billion to hold general elections on February 8. Repeatedly, they said, the finance ministry was approached for releasing the funds but to no avail.

The officials further commented that a written letter was sent to the finance ministry but, the commission had not received any ‘positive response’ from the ministry, which compelled them to summon the secretary.

Subsequently, “Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has decided to apprise the prime minister about the situation,” sources in the ECP shared and added: “A letter would be written to the prime minister in this regard.”