Staff Reporter :
The Ministry of Finance has allocated approximately Tk2,080 crore in the proposed national budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 to support the Election Commission (EC) in organising the upcoming 13th national parliamentary elections, as well as a series of local government polls.
The EC had initially submitted a funding proposal of Tk5,921.73 crore for FY26, citing the need to conduct around 2,500 elections across various tiers – including parliamentary, city corporation, district, upazila, union council,
municipal, and by-elections.
However, a senior finance ministry official, speaking anonymously informed that the revised allocation of Tk2,080 crore has been made, with the understanding that the next parliamentary election is likely to be held within this fiscal year.
The allocated sum also includes provision for expenses related to law enforcement deployment, necessary to maintain law and order during the electoral process.
Political debate continues around the timing of the national election. The BNP and other parties have called for the polls to be held by December 2025, whereas the National Citizen Party (NCP) has advocated for local elections to take place prior to the parliamentary vote.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has stated that the next general election will occur between December 2025 and June 2026.
In comparison, the FY2023-24 budget initially earmarked Tk2,406 crore for national elections, but the amount was later revised to Tk4,769 crore. For the 2018 national election, the original allocation stood at around Tk1,000 crore, which also increased in the revised estimates.
In the current fiscal year (FY2024-25), the EC Secretariat received a total allocation of Tk1,230 crore, of which only Tk200 crore was set aside specifically for electoral activities.
For FY26, the total proposed allocation for the Election Commission Secretariat stands at approximately Tk3,500 crore, including the Tk2,080 crore election fund.
Another official at the finance ministry indicated that the current allocation may be revised upward if necessary, to ensure the proper execution of free, fair, and transparent elections.
Breakdown of the EC’s original funding request reveals that approximately. They are v Tk2,800 crore was sought for the parliamentary elections and law enforcement support, Tk2,794.55 crore for local government elections, and Tk69.25 crore for voter list updates and national ID card operations.
The significantly lower allocation in the FY26 budget, compared to the EC’s demand, signals the government’s focus on fiscal restraint, but also leaves the door open for supplementary funding as election activities ramp up.
