The government has set aside a total of ZWL$76 billion for the holding of general elections in 2023.
Presenting the 2023 national budget at the new Parliament Building in Mt Hampden, Finance and Economic Development Minister, Mthuli Ncube, said the funds will cover voter registration, voter inspection, and actual election conduct, among other election-related expenses. He said:
Mr. Speaker Sir, the country will hold harmonised elections in 2023 as enshrined in the Constitution.
Preparations for the plebiscite have already commenced, which included the delimitation exercise, voter registration, and voter’s role inspection.
The 2023 National Budget is setting aside ZWL$76 billion for the remaining activities covering voter registration, voter inspection, and actual election conduct, among others.
This week, the European Union (EU) unveiled €6 million to support the holding of elections in Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, Ncube allocated $331.1 billion to Defence, $293 billion to the Home Affairs ministry, and $161.7 billion to the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), which houses the Central Intelligence Organisation. He said:
The 2023 national budget has set aside resources towards the capacitation of the uniformed forces with accommodation, rations and equipment, as well as improve their remuneration; both monetary and non-monetary, in order to fight crime, maintain law and order, as well as general peace and security.