EC, statistical office gets more funds

THE Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission (PNGEC) and the National Statistical Office (NSO) saw increases in their respective 2021 Budget allocations as they prepare for major exercises next year and 2022.
PNGEC received K16.398 million in the 2021 budget compared to K15.478mil this year, an increase of K920,000. NSO received K76.845mil in the 2021 budget compared to K61,400 in this year’s budget which was an increase of K15 million.
Prime Minister James Marape, when presenting the 2021 Budget on Tuesday, said preparations for the 2022 national elections needed to start as soon as possible.
“It is crucial to prepare for the 2022 national elections,” he said.
“There are no more years before the national elections. It is only this year.
“The budget is all about fairness and equal distribution of wealth so that together with our brothers in the Opposition, can contest the 2022 election fairly.”