Amid heightened vigilance ahead of polling, the Election Commission (EC) has clarified that there is no fixed limit on the amount of cash a person can carry during the voting period, provided the source and intended use of the money can be legally explained.
Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed made the remarks on Wednesday, February 11, while responding to queries from Jago News.
“There is no specific ceiling,” he said. “Not only Tk 50 lakh – even if someone carries Tk 5 crore – there is no problem, as long as the money is legal and the source can be shown.”
His comments come hours after airport police in Saidpur arrested Thakurgaon district Jamaat Amir Belal Uddin Pradhan with Tk 50 lakh in cash on Wednesday. The incident triggered questions about whether there is a legal threshold for carrying cash during the election period.
Clarifying the issue, the EC secretary said individuals are free to transport any amount of money for personal purposes if it is earned lawfully and properly documented.
However, he warned that the situation changes if the money is linked to electoral misconduct. “If cash is used to influence voters or manipulate the election, the Election Investigation and Judicial Committee will examine the matter,” he said. “And if the money is found to be illegal, law enforcement agencies will take action.”