The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to publish a breakdown of its N305bn projected expenditure for the 2023 elections.

The group said Nigerians needed to know what the electoral umpire would spend the “large chunk of money” on during the next general elections.

CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa, stated this in a chat with our correspondent on Tuesday.

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, had informed the National Assembly on Monday that the agency would need the funds for the 2023 elections, which is apart from its annual budget of N40bn.

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The electoral commission boss noted that N100bn out of the estimated sum had been disbursed to the agency for it to prepare for the forthcoming elections.

Reacting, the CISLAC director said, “It is important that elections in Nigeria should not just focus on spending but also focus on strengthening electoral transparency, making votes count and ensuring the smooth running of elections at all levels in a matter that will restore confidence in the electoral process.

“The amount that INEC is asking, we hope it is on the basis of intensive need assessment so that it will not just be on guessing but on actual programmes that will strengthen accountable and responsible elections in Nigeria.

“It will be good for INEC to publish a breakdown and a step-by-step of the expenses to be incurred so that Nigerians can evaluate, appreciate or raise objections on the proposed large chunk of money that our elections gulp every time. We need to reduce the cost of elections in Nigeria.”