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FINANCE Minister Tendai Biti yesterday said funding for the harmonised elections was ready except for money needed to pay officials conducting the polls.He told journalists that of the initial budget of $132,5 million, a total of $91,6 million needed for the actual conduct of the elections had been availed to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec).
He said to date Treasury had released $16,5 million for voter registration, $8, 97 million for voter education, $15,6 million for voters’ roll inspection and $220 000 for post-election processes among other expenses.
“Against this background I am pleased to say that as of the 25th of July 2013 we have disbursed $96 million, $40 million of which has been disbursed this week, $20 million on Monday, $20 million today, this is in support of voter registration, voter education and nomination court expenses as well as some of the requirements in support of the actual conduct of the elections,” he said.
“This leaves the balance of $36 million. This $36 million is largely the allowances and the per-diems of the officers who are going to conduct the election so that means that the money needed to actually hold the election is now there, the $96 million that we have disbursed to the Zec,” Biti said.
He said all the funds had been raised internally, without divulging the source.
The Ministry of Finance was hoping to secure the $36 million deficit by the end of the week, he said.
He acknowledged difficulties the Ministry faced in trying to raise the funding.
“We have gone through a rollercoaster of pain in trying to get this money and I want to say to Zimbabweans that from a financial point of view we are ready for the election.” – New Ziana.
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo