The Electoral commission needs an additional 86 billion shillings, to facilitate activities ahead of the 2011 general elections.
This is in addition to the 198 billion shillings that was earlier budgeted for the forth-coming elections.
Sam Rwakojo, the secretary to electoral commission, says the need for additional money stems from the realisation that there were several activities that were not budgeted for.
Rwakojo cites the activities as the printing of the voter register that will be submitted to the various political parties before the nominations, two weeks to the actual elections.
Another activity that was not catered for in the budget was the number of increased districts in the country. Parliament has over the years increased the number of districts from 80 to the current 112 districts.
According to Rwakojo the increased number of districts calls for additional funds for proper elections campaigns, and other facilitation for the electoral officials.
//Cue in: there are various requirements....
Cue out:.... additional funds.//
Meanwhile, The electoral commission has approved the programme for the youth council elections.
These elections will be conducted at all levels, leading to the youth regional conferences for the election of four youth representatives to parliament, election of the female youth Member of parliament and the national youth council.
According to Rwakojo the law for the youth was passed late and need extra funds to conduct their elections.
//Cue in:the elections for the youth...
cue out:......the exercise is big.//
Dr. Badru Kigunddu, the Chairperson Electoral Commission says the commission will soon begin to update its register for the youth in the various districts.
The update will begin on 17th until 20th December 2010. Nominations are set for January next year and the elections later in March.
The Electoral Commission however, needs a parliamentary approval in order to get additional funding.
Parliament is already on recess and it remains to be seen whether parliament will approve the budget on the 17th December, a day after the parliamentary campaigns begin.
