The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. MAHMOOD YAKUBU, has defended the 18 billion naira contained in the proposed supplementary budget for the commission when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations.

The INEC chairman explained that the 18 billion naira in the supplementary budget is not entirely for the conduct of the Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo governorship elections, but majorly personnel costs.

According to him, 1.6 billion naira would be used to conduct 11 by-elections in constituencies and senatorial districts across the country.

Prof. YAKUBU also said the component dealing with 40 per cent peculiar allowance for the 16,614 staff of INEC, will require 10.6 billion naira.