Budget 2026: EC gets Tk 29.56bn war chest to conduct polls

The proposed national budget for 2025-26 fiscal year has set aside Tk 29.56 billion for the Election Commission (EC) as Bangladesh gears up for the 13th parliamentary polls.

Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed presented a Tk 7.90 trillion spending plan on Monday, outlining allocations under the interim government.

The general election is expected to be held between December 2025 and June 2026.

Of the total allocation, Tk 27.27 billion has been reserved for operational expenses, with Tk 2.29 billion earmarked for development projects.

"During the last one and a half decades, almost all the institutions of the country have been on the verge of collapse due to corruption and lack of good governance," Salehuddin said in his budget speech.

"Therefore, it is critical to give utmost importance to establishing good governance and putting institutional reforms in place to bring the country back on the right path."

To that end, the interim government has formed 11 reform commissions tasked with drafting and implementing restructuring plans, all of which have submitted their reports, he noted.

One of the government’s central objectives, the advisor said, is to ensure a free and fair general election, restoring the people’s right to vote and transferring power to a democratic administration.

"In the last decade and a half, the country's electoral system has been completely tampered with. We, therefore, have

given the highest priority to reform the electoral system and to this end have made amendments and reforms in various laws, policies and orders."

In the upcoming fiscal year, the EC will oversee not only the national vote but also local government elections, including general and by-elections.

Its duties also include updating the voter register, expanding NID services, and registering expatriate Bangladeshis.

Speaking to on Monday, Additional Secretary to the EC Secretariat KM Ali Newaz said: “The EC is a constitutional body. The government will provide whatever is necessary.

“The amount of the allocation doesn’t matter. If we need more, we’ll ask, and the government will give.”

In FY25, the EC was given Tk 7.93 billion for operational purposes and Tk 4.37 billion for development.

Costs related to polls have risen consistently, driven by the growing need for materials, equipment, and personnel.

A significant share of the total spending typically goes towards law enforcement arrangements during election.

In FY24, when the 12th general election took place, the EC received a total allocation of Tk 24.06 billion.

The budget proposal is expected to be passed on Jun 30, with the new fiscal year starting on Jul 1.