Mthuli Sets Aside $11 Billion For Elections
The Ministry of Finance has allocated $11 billion to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to fulfil its mandate that includes conducting voter registration and conducting by-elections.
ZEC will hold by-elections during the first quarter of 2022 to replace dozens of MDC Alliance legislators and scores of councillors who were recalled by the MDC-T and to fill seats left vacant through death.
A total of $7.75 billion was allocated for preparatory works for the 2023 elections while $3.25 billion was for holding of by-elections next year.
Presenting the 2022 National Budget statement in Parliament on Thursday afternoon, Finance and Economic Development Minister, Mthuli Ncube said:
The country will be holding General Elections in 2023 as enshrined in the Constitution and preparatory works (delimitation, voter registration and inspection) will be undertaken to ensure the success of this constitutional requirement.
The 2022 National Budget is, therefore, setting aside $7.75 billion for the respective preparatory works.
Additionally, Government is also allocating $3 25 billion for the holding of by-elections for vacant constituencies in 2022.
Ncube also allocated over $4 billion to other so-called independent commissions to undertake their constitutional mandates.
The Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) was allocated $510 million while the Zimbabwe Gender Commission got $497.6 million.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) received $403.9 million while the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) was given $441.3 million.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) was allocated $931.7 million while the Zimbabwe Land Commission got $1.8 billion. Said Ncube:
Government is capacitating institutions of governance such as the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, National Peace and Reconciliation Commission, Judicial Service Commission and others to execute their mandate including decentralising services to local levels.
To date, all Commissions have been capacitated with tools of trade such as vehicles, furniture and equipment, with ZACC, Zimbabwe Media Commission and Zimbabwe Gender Commission, having been provided with office space for their head offices.
The 2022 National Budget allocates resources for further capacitation of all Commissions to undertake their constitutional obligations.
