ECP says 'expenses on general elections can exceed Rs55 billion'.

ISLAMABAD -- The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has said that the expenses on the general and by-elections can exceed Rs55 billion if they are not held on the same day, media reported on Tuesday.

Sources said that the organisation of phase-wise general elections will exceed the estimated expenses of Rs55 billion. The election commission decided to write another letter to the federal government regarding the general elections' expenses.

Prior to the estimation of the election cost, the ECP had written a letter to the Centre regarding Rs47 billion in expenses for the organisation of the general elections on the same day.

The Centre had also disbursed Rs5 billion to the election commission for the preparations for the general polls.

The commission will send the revised...