The Zimbabwe Electoral Commissions (Zec)’s request for $1 million for indelible ink for the forthcoming elections has raised eyebrows, amid suspicions the figure could be highly inflated. Staff Reporter
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission in Kenya is said to have spent $187 950 for its indelible ink for the country’s 15 000 000 voters.
Zimbabwe’s population according to the Zimbabwe National Statistical Agency, stands at 12,9 million and has roughly 5,9 million voters. Zec made the request when they met Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in December and told them that they needed $1 million for the indelible ink which had to be ordered eight weeks in advance.
The country is scheduled to hold elections this year.
In addition, the electoral body said they required $85 million for the referendum and $107 million for harmonised elections.
Their requisition include $12,8 million for election material, $8,5 million for motor vehicles, a further $12,6 million for vehicle hire and fuel, $3,5 million for pre-referendum preparations, $11,4 million for voter education, 35,6 million for the actual referendum and $362 000 for post-referendum expenses.
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Efforts to get justification from Zec were fruitless as the relevant authorities were said to be out of office yesterday, having failed to respond to questions forwarded to them early this week.
Addressing a Press conference in Harare on Tuesday, Finance minister Tendai Biti blasted the electoral body for allegedly presenting an unrealistic budget.