Election kitty: G-B interim govt denies delays in releasing funds
Alleges election commission spent funds on office furniture, vehicles instead of polls.
According to the information department, the commission had submitted a proposal on February 11 and requested funds worth Rs104.8 million. PHOTO: EXPRESS
GILGIT:
The interim government in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) has denied causing delays in providing funds to the election commission.
The clarification came a day after G-B Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Tahir Ali Shah complained about a shortage of funds at the commission’s disposal which could result in further delays in the legislative assembly elections scheduled for May.
The CEC also reportedly said the commission had demanded Rs200 million for election expenditures but only received Rs13 million.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the G-B information department, Rs73.5 million were released to the chief election commissioner’s office. “The funds were released to pay the Printing Corporation of Pakistan and National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for printing electoral lists,” read the statement.
“However, the commission has allegedly spent (the money) on office furniture and vehicles.” The statement refuted media reports which claimed the interim government has refused to provide funds to the election commission. “On the contrary, the G-B government is in close contact with the commission to ensure timely release of funds,” it added.
According to the information department, the commission had submitted a proposal on February 11 and requested funds worth Rs104.8 million.
“This request is being fulfilled according to rules as the government is determined to hold elections on time,” the statement said.
Earlier on Monday, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Chaudhry Barjees Tahir took oath as G-B’s governor. However, his predecessor Pir Karam Ali Shah insisted he had not been removed from office and was still the governor. Scores of people from G-B protested in Islamabad on the same day. Protesters accused Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of violating the 18th Amendment by appointing a non-local governor.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th, 2015.
The interim government in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) has denied causing delays in providing funds to the election commission.
The clarification came a day after G-B Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Tahir Ali Shah complained about a shortage of funds at the commission’s disposal which could result in further delays in the legislative assembly elections scheduled for May.
The CEC also reportedly said the commission had demanded Rs200 million for election expenditures but only received Rs13 million.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the G-B information department, Rs73.5 million were released to the chief election commissioner’s office. “The funds were released to pay the Printing Corporation of Pakistan and National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for printing electoral lists,” read the statement.
“However, the commission has allegedly spent (the money) on office furniture and vehicles.” The statement refuted media reports which claimed the interim government has refused to provide funds to the election commission. “On the contrary, the G-B government is in close contact with the commission to ensure timely release of funds,” it added.
According to the information department, the commission had submitted a proposal on February 11 and requested funds worth Rs104.8 million.
“This request is being fulfilled according to rules as the government is determined to hold elections on time,” the statement said.
Earlier on Monday, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Chaudhry Barjees Tahir took oath as G-B’s governor. However, his predecessor Pir Karam Ali Shah insisted he had not been removed from office and was still the governor. Scores of people from G-B protested in Islamabad on the same day. Protesters accused Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of violating the 18th Amendment by appointing a non-local governor.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th, 2015.