The transitional National Electoral Council reduced USD 20 million from the budget for the sectional elections of 2019

Ecuadornews:

The elections of March 24, 2019 will be USD 20.4 million less. The Plenary of the National Electoral Council transitory approved on Wednesday night, August 29, 2018, the new budget, which was established at USD 99.3 million.

Unanimously, the directors in charge approved that item, which represents a reduction of 30%, in relation to the amount approved by the dismissed directors, which amounted to USD 119.7 million.

The counselor in charge, Camila Moreno, pointed out that the budget was cut in satellite communication lines, for areas of difficult access. Also in expenses that the transitional counselor José Cabrera describes as sumptuous or unnecessary, such as diplomas for 16-year-olds who will pay for the first time.

The amount to acquire a technological application, which would be used to facilitate the logistics and communication of the election results, was also eliminated from the budget. Moreno explained that it is analyzed to sign agreements with international organizations of free software, so that the National Electoral Council technicians themselves participate in the development of the application.

After approving the new budget and the operational plan for the election of the seven directors of the definitive Citizen Participation Council (Cpccs), the National Electoral Council must announce the call to apply for candidates. This is expected to occur in the second week of September. (I)

Source: https://www.elcomercio.com/actualidad/cne-reduccion-presupuesto-elecciones-seccionales.html