THE government has allocated 17.79bn/- for organizing this year’s local government authorities’ elections

Mohamed Mchengerwa, the Regional Administration and Local Governments state minister in the President's Office (PO-RALG), made this observation when tabling the ministry's 2024/25 budget estimates set at 10.125trn/- here yesterday.

He said that 5.1bn/- has so far been spent in preparations, while the government is pursuing the preparations with a view to conducting free and fair elections.

The funds had been disbursed since February, firstly to complete the verification of polling stations and election toolkits, he said, stressing that the government will ensure that the polls are held in observing local authorities election law and regulations, adhering to democratic principles.

He urged stakeholders in the local government elections to fully participate in the whole process for the elections to be a success, as well as religious leaders to pray for peaceful local government and general elections late next year.

The general public need to peacefully take part in the elections as voters and contestants, he said, referring to government efforts to prepare the National Development Vision 2050, which principally targets at developing inclusive plans.

In realising Vision 2025, the government was investing in guaranteeing adequate supply of electricity for domestic and industrial uses, pursuing initiatives that ensure the production and supply of sugar in excess of demand, to eliminate shortages of the commodity, he declared.

“The government will dedicate its policies and strategies at stabilizing the economy for the country to be freed from domestic and foreign debts arising from the government’s recurrent expenditure and development projects,” the minister intoned.

Reflections on the 2022 Population and Housing Census results by public and private institutions in planning development projects must be pursued, he added.