The biggest chunk of the 2017 National Election budgetary allocation will be spent on allowances for polling officials, transportation and security.
Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato is optimistic of a free and fair election, with an allocation of K400 million in the 2017 National Budget handed down by the Treasury Minister Patrick Pruaitch yesterday in Parliament.
He said more than 30,000 public servants will be engaged as temporary staff during the duration of the election, which is five months away.
He added that K120 million will be spent on security alone.
Commissioner Gamato said the national government will release K30 million before the close of government books to fund the purchase of election materials.
PNG Electoral Commission is one of the winners in the 2017 budget, which saw cuts in many government sectors.
In this year’s budget, PNGEC was only allocated K10 million.
(Caption: Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato. Picture source: PNGEC website)