AHMED DEEPTO

The Election Commission (EC) is likely to get an allocation of around Tk 2,900 crore in the National Budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year for its operations, including holding local government polls.

In 2025-26 fiscal year, the EC was allocated Tk 3,150 crore. Of the amount, around Tk 2,256 crore was spent on the 13th national parliamentary election and referendum held on February 12.

“We demanded over Tk 5,500 crore. We may get a little over Tk 2,900 crore. The final figure will be known on budget day,” said Shamsul Hoque Fouzder, EC senior assistant secretary (budget).

Asked whether the EC could hold local government elections with Tk 2,900 crore in the upcoming fiscal year, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said, “Measures will be taken to ensure the elections are conducted at lower cost. Public money cannot be wasted.”

EC officials noted that the demand was made considering the upcoming elections due for upazilas, union parishads, municipalities, city corporations, and district councils.

“We calculated the likely expenditure for 495 upazilas, 330 municipalities, and 13 city corporations before placing the demand,” Fouzder said.

He added that Union Parishad polls cost almost as much as national elections, as those are held in four to five phases.

“Within the remaining four months of ongoing fiscal year, the EC may conduct polls to municipalities, city corporations, district councils, and pending upazilas. If held in two phases, more than 250 upazilas could be covered within this allocation,” he also said.

BREAKDOWN OF EC’S DEMAND

Of the Tk 5,500 crore sought from

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