EC seeks additional Tk 429cr to manage election, referendum costs
The Election Commission (EC) has sought an additional Tk 429 crore in the revised budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, citing the added burden of holding the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections and a referendum on the same day.
Although the election date has not been officially finalised, indications from EC officials suggest that voting may take place on February 5 or 12 next year.
The commission is preparing a fresh operational plan after the referendum was incorporated at the final stage of election preparations.
Schedule announcement may face delays
Officials said the announcement of the election schedule could be delayed if issues related to the referendum and the redrawing of parliamentary constituency boundaries are not resolved in time. However, if voting is to be held in early February, the EC is expected to announce the schedule in the first half of December.
Revised budget demand
The EC currently has Tk 229.5 crore allocated under the national budget. In the revised ADP, it has requested Tk 429 crore more, mainly under two projects: (1) Identification System for Enhancing Access to Services (IDEA) Project – Phase II (First Revised) and (2) Outside Voting System Development and Implementation Project – a newly introduced initiative.
The proposal, signed by EC Deputy Secretary M Mazharul Islam, was received by the Finance Division and the Ministry of Planning on November 18.
Breakdown of allocations
In the current budget:
Tk 210 crore was allocated for the IDEA Phase II project.
This project expires on November 30, and the EC has proposed increasing its cost by Tk 400 crore, bringing the total rise to Tk 610 crore.
Another ongoing project – Capacity Building of the EC Secretariat in Using ICT in the Electoral Process –has Tk 90.5 crore allocated.
Additionally, a Tk 10 crore lump sum was set aside for an unapproved EC project.
Notably, the EC has not spent any funds from these allocations between July and October.
In the revised budget, the EC has sought Tk 39.7 crore for the new Outside Voting System Development and Implementation Project, with Tk 39.5 crore already approved by relevant ministries.
Overall, the total proposed revised allocation rises to Tk 658.75 crore, reflecting an increased requirement of Tk 429.70 crore – excluding the dropped Tk 10 crore lump allocation.
Postal voting complications
The EC is moving ahead with remote voting arrangements for expatriate Bangladeshis under the new overseas voting project. The “Postal Vote BD” app is registering Bangladeshis abroad for postal ballots in the upcoming polls.
However, the process has run into significant issues. Registration has been temporarily suspended in seven Middle Eastern countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE – because many applicants submitted incomplete or incorrect addresses.
Despite this, the EC recently removed regional restrictions and a five-day deadline for expatriate voter registration. Bangladeshis abroad can now register from any country, at any time, until December 18.
Additional expenses expected
At an inter-ministerial meeting on October 31, the EC informed ministry secretaries that holding both the national election and the referendum on the same day would increase the number of polling stations and officials required. If held separately, expenses would double.
Election Commissioner Brig Gen (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah urged the Finance Division to ensure timely fund releases for conducting both events smoothly.
Official reactions
Planning Ministry Secretary Dr Qayyum Ara Begum declined to comment on the EC’s budget request.
Md Abdur Rouf, Additional Secretary of the Planning Commission’s Socio-Economic Infrastructure Division, said: “I am not aware of the matter. I have not even noticed it.”
EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the Finance Division has been approached for cooperation but stressed that all ministries have been instructed to remain cost-conscious and avoid unnecessary expenses.