The Ministry of Finance has announced an additional allocation of NLe 165,000 to the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) for the June 2023 elections. The disclosure was made by Minister of Finance Sheku Fantamadi Bangura during the Elections Steering Committee Meeting at the Bintumani Conference Hall.
Minister Bangura stated that the funds would be used for various purposes, including the procurement of polling materials, logistics, training, and staff remuneration. He further mentioned that he had instructed the Accountant General to establish two standing orders to immediately disburse NLe 825 million, which is fifty percent of the approved amount, to the ECSL.
According to Awoko Newspaper, the Minister confirmed that the money had already been allocated to the ECSL, with only fifty percent remaining to be disbursed. Furthermore, he announced an additional NLe 1.3 million allocation to the Human Rights Commission for Sierra Leone (HRCSL) and stated that the Ministry was considering further disbursements for other Elections Management Bodies (EMBs).
Sierra Leone is scheduled to hold a multitier election in June. Political analysts have predicted intense competition between the incumbent SLPP and the main opposition APC.