Cost Of Elections 2016; We Need Answer- Dr. Nii Amu Darko

Since the publication of my last piece on the EC proposals in term of cost and timetable for the 2016 elections, the story of which can be found via ( Read more... ) many people have sent me private messages. I want to use this short article to answer their queries and concerns. Let us dwell on the Nigerian experience.

Prof. Attahiru Jega, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), maintained the Commission would require N92.904billion to conduct the 2015 general elections. The Chairman also hinted that INEC is already preparing for the upcoming elections between January and February 2015.

Jega made a presentation in Abuja on Monday at a Stakeholders’ Public hearing on preparations and challenges ahead of the 2015 General Elections, organized by the Senate Committee on INEC …

Jega disclosed the Commission currently has a total of 73.5 million registered voters for the 2015 elections, and INEC would spend $7.9 each voter.

“In preparing for the forthcoming elections, ONE GUIDING PRINCIPLE for the Commission has been to make elections more COST-EFFECTIVE and to give Nigerians BETTER VALUE FOR MONEY. Our estimate is that the cost of election per voter, which is an international standard for viewing the cost of elections, is coming down in Nigeria.

“We project that for the 2015 elections, this would come further down by almost $1-from $8.8 in 2011 to $7.9, representing almost a 10 percent drop. This compares favorably with some other African countries. However, we are anxious about getting all our funding requirements being met well in advance of the 2015 general elections.”

Source: https://www.naij.com/54430.html
Matters arising:

1. Do we have a Parliamentary Committee on the EC? If no, why? If yes, what is the Committee saying?
2. International standard for costing elections – cost of election/voter and Nigeria’s is $7.9. This is a country conducting National Presidential and Bi-camera Parliamentary elections and 50 State Governorship and uni-camera Parliamentary elections. Logically, Ghana holding only National Presidency and uni-camera elections should not spend more than $4/voter. Our EC must explain why they budgeted for $22.5 almost 3x more than Nigeria?
3. Nigeria actually has reduced the cost of election/voter by 10% from last elections. This is the Nigeria we think is so corrupt. Do you understand why Ghana is now perceived as the 2nd most corrupt country in Africa?
4. Nigeria is confident its figure compares favorably with other African countries. Is our EC also confident? I want to know.
5. A fundamental principle for INEC is cost-effectiveness and better value for money. What is the guiding principle of Ghana’s EC?
6. Finally, we all agree the 14m Voters’ Register is bloated. What the masses don’t know is whether there will be a born-again register or a surgically cleaned one. If we use a final figure of 12m and a cost-effective figure of $4/voter, the elections should cost us $48m or Ghc 185m. This is why I said the election should not cost us more than $50m. The EC must explain the Ghc 1.2b and Parliament the Ghc 800m+.

Tswa omanye aba.
Dr. Nii Amu Darko
[email protected]