Next election to cost Rs47.4b

Ministry says Rs15 billion would be spent on ensuring security during elections

The National Assembly was informed on Thursday that the next general elections, which were due in 2023, would cost over Rs47 billion, including Rs5.6 billion expenses on the electronic voting machines (EVMs) and I-voting.

In a written reply during the Question Hour, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs presented the details from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The house was informed that 2023 elections would cost Rs47.41 billion.

Giving breakdown of the expenses, the ministry said that the training wing would require Rs1.79 billion; printing of ballot papers would cost Rs4.83 billion while Rs15 billion would be spent on ensuring security during the elections.