The Ministry of Finance has allocated the sum of NLe 165,000 to the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) as additional funds for the June 2023 elections.

This information was disclosed by the Minister of Finance, Sheku Fantamadi Bangura during the Elections Steering Committee Meeting at the Bintumani Conference Hall.

Minister Bangura said the disbursement is to address expenditure for procurement of polling materials, logistics, training and remuneration for staff.

“I have instructed the Accountant General to set up two standing orders that will ensure NLe 825 million which is fifty percent of the approved amount disbursed to ECSL immediately,” the Minister said.

Awoko Newspaper reported that the Minister revealed that the money has already been allocated to the ECSL and that only the fifty percent is remaining.

The Minister added that another NLe 1.3 million to the Human Rights Commission for Sierra Leone (HRCSL) and that the Ministry is considering disbursement for other Elections Management Bodies (EMBs).

Sierra Leone will go to the polls in a multitier election in June.

Political analysts have predicted that the incumbent SLPP will face stiff competition from the main opposition APC.