Africa-Press – Gambia. The Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) of the National Assembly has recommended a substantial reduction of the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) 2026 budget.
FPAC says a reduction of D270,776,706 should be made on IEC’s 2026 budget, following a thorough line-by-line review of its proposed expenditures.
According to the committee’s report, the reduction comes after scrutiny of all budget lines, including fuel and lubricants, stationery, allowances, travel expenses, and operational maintenance costs. FPAC noted that certain allocations appeared overstated or could be optimized, while savings could be redirected to priority needs elsewhere in the national budget.
Key areas affected include the purchase of fuel and lubricants across various programs, where adjustments were made to reflect actual operational requirements. Stationery and office supplies, voter education, training, and allowances also saw notable reductions. Travel expenses for IEC staff were trimmed slightly to align with realistic projections of required movement for operational activities.
FPAC’s report emphasized that these deductions do not compromise the IEC’s core mandate to ensure free, fair, and credible elections. Rather, the Committee said, they are intended to strengthen financial discipline, ensure efficient use of public resources, and maximize value for money in line with prudent fiscal management.
“This review reflects our ongoing oversight role to ensure that public funds are used responsibly,” FPAC Chairperson Hon Alhagie S. Darbo said. “While the IEC performs a critical function for the nation, it is our duty to ensure that allocations are realistic, justified, and properly monitored.”
The Committee recommended that the IEC implement the revised budget and continue to submit detailed expenditure reports for ongoing parliamentary oversight. FPAC also urged the Commission to explore cost-saving measures internally and optimize its operations to minimize unnecessary expenditure.
The IEC is expected to formally respond to FPAC’s recommendations and adjust its operational plans to accommodate the revised funding framework, ensuring that preparations for voter registration, awareness campaigns, and other critical activities remain on track.
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