The government has proposed an allocation of Tk 4,401 crore for the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat in the upcoming fiscal year 2026–27, marking a nearly 49% increase from the initial allocation of Tk 2,956 crore in the outgoing fiscal year.
The proposed increase comes as the government plans to hold local government elections in the next fiscal year. The first phase of voting, including Union Parishad elections, could begin in November.
EC Senior Secretary Akhter Ahmed said the allocation is linked to the upcoming electoral cycle. “The increased budget is naturally related to local government elections,” he said, adding that the Commission would ensure effective use of the allocated funds.
The large-scale local government elections are seen as the main driver behind the additional expenditure.
Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury presented the national budget of Tk9.38 lakh crore for FY 2026–27 in parliament on Thursday.
Compared with the initial allocation of the previous fiscal year, the EC budget has increased by Tk1,445 crore, or 48.88%. Earlier, the Commission had sought Tk5,500 crore, leaving a shortfall of more than Tk1,000 crore from its demand.
The increase comes amid a growing backlog of local government elections. No such polls have been held for more than two years. During this period, the terms of many local government bodies have expired, including 13 city corporations, 61 district councils, 500 upazila councils and 4,581 union parishads.
In FY 2025–26, the EC’s initial allocation was Tk2,956 crore, which was later revised to Tk 4,346 crore to cover expenses for the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the February 12 referendum.
