EC estimates biggest-ever Tk1,445cr election budget
The budget represents a 100% increase compared to the previous election’s budget of Tk700 crore
The Election Commission (EC) is gearing up for the 12th general election with an estimated budget of Tk1,445 crore, the largest election budget in the nation's history.
"The budget may exceed Tk1,550 crore if supplementary expenses, specifically those associated with law enforcement units, are incorporated after the meeting between the Election Commission and law enforcement agencies scheduled for 25 October," EC's Additional Secretary, Ashok Kumar Debnath, disclosed.
The current election budget represents a significant increase of over 100%, compared to the previous election's budget of Tk700 crore. The 11th election also exceeded the budget of Tk283 crore allocated for the 10th election in 2014.
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The 9th national election had a budget of Tk165.5 crore, while the 8th had Tk72.71 crore. In 1973, the first parliamentary election was conducted with a budget of Tk81.36 lakh.
Ashok Kumar explained that this time, a significant factor contributing to the increased budget is the decision to pay the presiding officers, assistant presiding officers, and polling officers two days' honorarium.
Currently, a presiding officer receives Tk4,000, an assistant presiding officer gets Tk3,000, and a polling official gets Tk2,000 as an allowance for their election duties on polling day. This year, over 9 lakh officers will manage more than 42,000 polling centres with over 260,000 polling booths, contributing to the higher budget.
Additionally, an increase in fuel costs compared to the last national election in 2018 played a role in the budget expansion.
The EC's Additional Secretary further explained that traditionally, around 60% of the total budget is allocated to maintaining law and order, and this year is no different. Out of the total budget, only about Tk500 crore is designated for election management.
Security forces, including the Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Coast Guard, and Ansar members, will be actively involved during the election. The Police and Ansar members will be stationed at the polling stations.
If army personnel are deployed for election security, the expenses will rise even further.
The EC has completed the procurement of all election materials for the upcoming election.
Ashok Kumar stated, "We have acquired various election materials, now stored. Some ballot boxes moved to the regional office for space. Distribution of all materials begins this week."
