Draft 2018 budget:

50 billion allocated for elections

Paul Biya

The Head of State President Paul Biya has instructed that some amendments be made on the draft 2018 budget that has to be examined and adopted by Parliament. One of the amendments is that bearing on the allocation for elections in 2018. Previously estimated to cost fcfa 35 billion, the president has ordered that the elections budget be raised to 50 billion, an increase of fcfa 15 billion.

                It is understood that five (5) elections have to be organized in 2018 including presidential, senatorial, parliamentary, council and regional elections.

                Another amendment has to do with the collection of property tax. In the bill that was submitted to parliament it was mentioned that the tax would be collected simultaneously with the payment for electricity consumption. But the president has asked that this measure be suppressed.

                The presidential decision also ordered the suppression of the re-taxing by 5% of the importation of wheat flour, as well as the withdrawal of tax the exoneration that was initially granted to some companies contracted to carry out big investment projects in the country. These companies will therefore lose this privilege that is, if it is established that they had not started their jobs one year after the contracts were awarded.  

                The president’s instructions are contained in a letter addressed by the Minister, Secretary General at the Presidency to office of the Secretary General at the Prime Minister's office (see copy below).

                Another amendment instructed is that increasing the Airport Stamp Duty from fcfa 10 000 to fcfa 25 000 for all international flights.