May 17 (BTA) - The caretaker government has approved the budget for the preparations and the organization of early general elections scheduled for July 11, the Government Information Service said on Monday. The approved expenditures stand at 57.1 million leva. They will cover the printing of voter rolls, the purchase and production of election stationery, the printing of ballots, logistical supply for the regional and municipal administrations and the Council of Ministers administration, remuneration for the members of sectional and district election commissions, the computerized tallying of the votes, and the organization of an awareness campaign on voters' rights and obligations and on the manner of voting,

After a tender for the supply of additional voting machines, the Central Election Commission (CEC) will receive extra expenditures to procure the machines in line with the Public Finances Act.

The government is prepared to provide extra funds too if CEC decides to introduce video monitoring in polling sections.

Also, the government has approved an extra 11.1 million leva under the budget of the Council of Ministers in case the elections take place under an epidemic emergency. Voting sections abroad will receive funds under the budget of the Foreign Ministry to comply with the anti-epidemic measures in the respective country.

If the elections take place in an epidemic emergency, then they will cost 68.2 million leva.

By comparison, the regular elections, held on April 4, cost 65.7 million leva. RI/PP






/ДЛ/