The disbursement of public funds such as the PSIP, the DSIP, the LLGSIP, COVID and other related development funds and Grants, during the period of the National General Elections are an ongoing concern. This is to avoid the current Member of Parliament from being tangled themselves during the campaign period by disbursing public funds towards projects and services within their electorate.
The Ombudsman Commission, therefore, by virtue of its’ powers and functions under the Constitution, issues this Direction pursuant to Section 27 (4) of the Constitution to CONTRL the expenditure and disbursement of public funds specifically during the campaign period in the 2022 National General Election. That is, from the date when the writs will be issued up until the date when the new government is formed and the new PEC and the DDA have advised us of the change of bank account signatories or otherwise. It should be noted that it is NOT a COMPLETE FREEZE of the public funds.
No funds will be released unless clearance has been sought from the Ombudsman
Commission. The clearance of the expenditure might take about a day or two.
The direction, by the Ombudsman Commission encourages the continuity of service delivery by the Provincial and District Administrations by way of the efficient and effective implementation of PEC and DDA meeting resolutions.
The main intent of the direction is to ensure that public funds are used for the purposes they are allocated for and not for other purposes during the election period. This will minimize the public perception “that public funds have been disbursed for personal election related purposes”.
For any claims for funding for approved projects, the Provincial or District Administration should furnish to the Ombudsman Commission, the following documents for verification prior to the release of funds for any such project:
Copy of the Project Development Form.
- Copy of the PEC/DDA meeting Resolutions/Decisions.
- Copy of the Decision of the meeting.
- Copy of the Budget appropriation for the project.
- Copy of the Contract between the PEC/DDA and the Contractor for the project.
- The copy of the Invoice from the service provider for the payment by the PEC/DDA.
- Certified claims by Department of Works for both Minor and Major contracts
progressive payment. - Completion certificates from department of works for both minor and major contracts.
- Meeting minutes and resolution from Covid Control Centre on COVID related contract awarding and their contracts; and
- Other supporting documents relevant to that claim.
In implementing the payment process, the Provincial and District Administrators must work closely with and co-operate with the respective Provincial and District Finance Managers to implement the decisions
to ensure that services are delivered in a timely and efficient manner.
Any Member of Parliament or administering authority who feels aggrieved by this direction is at liberty to apply to or contact the Ombudsman Commission for clarifications.
The direction will continue to apply until further notice from the
Ombudsman Commission.