The Ministry of Finance says it has released over fifty five million cedis to the Electoral Commission (EC) to conduct District Assembly Elections.
A press statement issued by the Ministry indicated that “we wish to state emphatically that the Ministry has released a total of GH¢55,455,377.83 which is the Dollar equivalent of $24,205,752.00 to the EC by the Ministry’s letter dated January 28, 2014 on the subject matter.”
The E.C had postponed district assembly elections due to lack of funds to procure biometric machines,and other equipment.
The Ministry expressed the hope that the funds would “bring to an end the controversy surrounding the release of funds to the EC for the conduct of 2014 district level elections.”
Below is the full statement issued by the Ministry
PRESS RELEASE
MINISTRY OF FINANCE HAS RELEASED GH¢55,455,377.83 REQUESTED BY ELECTORAL COMMISSION FOR THE CONDUCT OF 2014 DISTRICT
ASSEMBLY ELECTION
The Ministry of Finance has noted with concern media reports that the Electoral Commission (EC) has postponed the District Assembly Elections because no funds had been released for the conduct of the elections
2.We wish to state emphatically that the Ministry has released a total of GH¢55,455,377.83 which is the Dollar equivalent of $24,205,752.00 to the EC by the Ministry’s letter dated January 28, 2014 on the subject matter.
3.The amount released is in respect of the EC’s request to procure biometric machines, update, maintain and support data centre’s hardware and software and the maintenance of wide area network.
4. This should bring to an end the controversy surrounding the release of funds to the EC for the conduct of 2014 district level elections.
END
By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana