Bauchi — Chairman of the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) Alhaji Abdul-mumini Mohammed Kundak yesterday dis-closed that the commission is asking for N2.8bn to conduct the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

Kundak stated this while defending the budget of the commission before the budget and appropriation committee of the Bauchi State House of Assembly.

He said "although the body did not perform much last year, we have made a projection of N2.8 billion to ensure the success of the forthcoming local government election"

Kundak however, regretted that only three hundred and seventy million had been approved for them by the ministry of budget as contained in the proposal brought before the House by the governor saying over N2 billion has been cut from its proposal by the ministry of budget and transferred to the SSG's office.

He urged the assembly to take measures to ensure that all their projections were approved in line with their demands and aspiration.

When asked on the time for conducting local government election, Kundak said there is no definite date fixed for the exercise as they were waiting to receive all materials before a time is fixed for the election.

The chairman of the budget and appropriation committee, Abdulkadir Umar Dewu directed the office of the secretary to the government to transfer all sub heads meant for the electoral body to the commission.

Dewu said the electoral body which was an autonomous body does not require interference from the office of the SSG and commended the electoral body for maintaining a modest expenditure.