Closure of government accounts will not affect election preparation

The three weeks closure of Government accounts to audit its 2016 financial books will not affect the funding for the 2017 National Elections.

Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato said the National Government with the support of Inter-Department Election Committee (IDEC) has established a 2017 election trust account which will facilitate funds coming into PNGEC.

He said in the past, PNGEC used the integrated financial management system (IFMS) to manage funds but what normally happens is that after all government accounts are closed, unused funds are returned to the Consolidated Revenue Funds (CRF).

“With the trust account, PNGEC funds will be held back and used during the shut-down period,” Gamato said.

The National Government allocated K400 million in next year’s budget to fund the election operations.

Finance Secretary Dr Ken Ngangan said government accounts will be closed on 12 December and no payments will be made by the Finance Department.     

He warned all government department and statutory organizations to follow the Finance Department circulars because no unsettled warrants will be made after the closure of the accounts so audit for 2016 can be done in preparation of the 2017 financial year.       

Author: 
Charles Yapumi