The National Electoral Commission (CNE) has still not made campaign funds available to political parties, despite the fact that the Electoral Law stipulates that this action must take place 21 days before the start of the electoral campaign, according to the newspaper O País.
With 18 days to go until the start of the election campaigns, the body responsible for channelling the money is still facing a budget deficit. Paulo Cuinica, spokesman for the CNE, said that they are working with the Ministry of Economy and Finance to disburse the money. “Despite the deficit, the process is continuing and at the moment the production of campaign materials is underway,” said the spokesman.
The CNE has forecast an increase in the amount to be channelled to the political parties, justified by the increase in the cost of living on the national and international market, which influences the costs of goods and services needed for the parties’ logistics during the 45 days of the election campaign.
The campaign begins on the 24th of this month, followed by the placement of political propaganda materials from the 25th. The CNE plans to pay subsidies of around 260 million meticals (4 million dollars) to the political parties taking part in the general elections scheduled for 9 October.
“The CNE has indicated a forecast increase in the amount to be channelled to the political parties, justified by the increase in the cost of living in the national and international market, which influences the costs of goods and services needed for the logistics of the parties during the 45 days of the electoral campaign”
In addition, the CNE recently announced that this year’s general elections will cost almost 20 billion meticals. “The updated budget to support the expenses of the seventh general, presidential and legislative elections, and the fourth elections of members of the provincial assemblies and the provincial governor, scheduled for 9 October, is 19.9 billion meticals,” the entity said in a statement.
According to the newspaper, despite the financial challenges, the CNE continues to guarantee that preparations for the elections are underway and that the political parties will receive the necessary funds for the campaign.
