DESIEC Boss Says Council Elections Will Hold Next Year, Defends N1Billion Budget

The Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, DESIEC has proposed the sum of one billion, One Hundred and Forty Seven million naira for the conduct of the forthcoming Local Government Councils election in the State.

The Chairman of the Commission, Chief Mike Ogbodu, who disclosed this while defending the 2021 budget proposal before the State House of Assembly Committee on Establishment, Ethics and Privileges, Chaired by the Minority Leader, Hon Innocent Anidi, said the election is to hold early next year.

“The DESIEC boss, Chief Mike Ogbodu said nine hundred million naira is proposed for the conduct of the elections, while two hundred and forty-seven million naira is for related activities, including legal matters, post election seminars, trainings among others.

Briefing the House Committee members on the activities of the Commission in the 2020 fiscal year as well as its projections for 2021, Chief Ogbodu said that the Commission is already putting measures in place towards achieving seamless Local Government election in the State.

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He stated that the Commission is already considering possible date early next year for the proposed date for the Local Government election in the State, hence the proposed amount to be captured in the 2021 Appropriation law.

The DSIEC boss said the thirty two point five cap limit given to the Commission to spend as capital expenditure for 2021 was inadequate and stressed the need for increase amongst other demands.

“The Chairman of the Committee, Hon Innocent Anidi, while commending DSIEC for its roles so far, urged it to sustain the tempo, particularly in the forth coming Local Government elections in the State.

For his part, a members of the Committee, Hon Reuben Izeze urged the Commission to continue to uphold its integrity as an independent institution in the discharge of its duties.

Hon Izeze also charged the officials to strive to maintain absolute independence of the Commission in its operations

The DSIEC boss was accompanied to the State House of Assembly Complex, the venue of the budget defense session by Commissioners in the Commission and other management team.