We need $130m to deliver 2021 elections-NIEC

The electoral body NIEC is asking for close to $130 million between now and 2021 to prepare the country for the general elections expected be based on universal suffrage.

The Halima Ibrahim led National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) said in a report presented to stakeholders Monday its budget will peak between 2018 and 2020 adding up to about $ 120 million.

“We are only waiting financial support from the government and the international community,” said Ibrahim. “We want the politicians, political parties and the public to prepare themselves to participate in the elections.” Their preparation and contribution is critical to realizing our objectives.”

Most of the budget will go to registration of voters which amounts to $56.7 million with the exercise expected to commence in 2019 ahead of the 2021 polls.

The voting exercise which incorporates several aspects including procurement of voting material, security, mobilization of electoral staff among others will cost $38.5 million, the commission’s five year strategic plan indicates.

Administrative costs and capacity building will take up $27.5 million with most of the budget distributed almost evenly across the five year period. Next year will however see a high uptake at $9.4 million.

Ibrahim said the strategic plan will guide the working of the commission adding her team will kick off public consultations across the country. Key among the issues calling for public input include the electoral model which is yet to be adopted.

Planning Minister Gamal Hassan said a new census exercise will not be carried but only counting will also be done through voter registration but taking into account the eligible voters.

‘Census is also related to elections but we shall use the voter registration but counting only the eligible voting people and we are ready to work closely with the election committee on all their needs on how all Somali people can vote or join political parties for registrations,” said Hassan. “We are ready to play our role to contribute to get a centre for the committee.”

Other budget areas include completion of the electoral laws and regulation, management of the political parties systems and media, public sensitization and outreach campaigns and post-election assessment.