By The EC blames the finance minister for delayed payments to 2024 election staff. Affected workers demand action after six months.
A statement was issued by the Electoral Commission (EC) regarding unpaid allowances for election staff. Initially, it was announced that temporary workers were not paid after the 2024 general elections. Consequently, the blame was directed toward the Ministry of Finance.
Recruitment of Staff Temporary workers were recruited by the EC before the elections. Various roles were assigned, including those of presiding officers, verification assistants, and polling agents. Moreover, their contributions were acknowledged as essential to the electoral process.
Delayed Payments It was reported that payments were delayed for several months. In addition, the allowances were not received by many workers. Therefore, significant financial hardship was experienced by the affected staff.
Official Statement A formal statement was released by the EC on May 26, 2025. In that announcement, the delay was attributed to the Ministry of Finance’s inability to release the necessary funds. Furthermore, assurances were given that payments would be processed soon.
Expression of Regret An apology was extended by the EC to the temporary staff. Their patience and professionalism were recognized, and regret was expressed for the inconvenience caused. Thus, the importance of prompt payment was underscored.
Public Reaction Frustration was voiced on social media by many temporary workers. Complaints were shared regarding the prolonged delay. Additionally, urgent calls for immediate intervention were made by the affected individuals.
Response from the Ministry No official response was provided by the Ministry of Finance at the time the statement was released. Concerns were raised about the management of funds and administrative oversight. Consequently, the issue was expected to be addressed by the responsible authorities.
Historical Context Similar delays were reported in previous election cycles. Past complaints were noted regarding the timely payment of temporary staff. As a result, the delay was recognized as a recurrent problem by various observers.
Implications for Future Elections The credibility of the EC was questioned because of the persistent delay. Trust in the electoral process was affected, and future participation was anticipated to be reduced. Moreover, concerns were raised about the treatment of temporary workers in future polls.
Conclusion A resolution to the payment issue was awaited by the affected staff. Additional measures were expected to be implemented by both the EC and the Ministry of Finance. Ultimately, it was hoped that reforms would be introduced so that similar delays would not recur in future elections.
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