Finance Ministry disburses Rs17.4 billion to ECP for elections

The long-standing issue of funding for the upcoming 2024 general elections has been successfully addressed, as the Finance Division announced on Tuesday the release of Rs17.4 billion to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

In an official statement issued on X, the ministry disclosed, “The Finance Division has disbursed Rs17.4 billion to the ECP, supplementing the Rs10.0 billion released in July 2023 for the smooth conduct of general elections in the country. This cumulative disbursement now totals Rs27.4 billion allocated for the upcoming general elections.”

This development comes on the heels of a recent alarm raised by the ECP regarding the delayed release of urgently needed funds for the scheduled general elections on February 8, 2024.

Previously, concerns were raised as the Ministry of Finance had failed to release the necessary funds, sparking fears of potential election delays. In response, the ECP took action by summoning the finance secretary, who engaged in a meeting with ECP officials to address the critical funding shortfall.

Following the meeting, the finance secretary assured the electoral watchdog that the required funds would be expedited and released within a day or two. In a subsequent announcement today, the Finance Ministry officially confirmed the release of the funds needed by the ECP for the upcoming general elections.