[🇧🇩] Forming Election Commission/Conducting Elections

[Saif]

Polls delay to deepen crisis, says BNP

Bangladesh Nationalist Party standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Monday said that the country’s ongoing crisis would deepen with any further delay in restoring the democratic order through a credible electoral process.

www.newagebd.net

Polls delay to deepen crisis, says BNP
Staff Correspondent 27 May, 2025, 00:45

Bangladesh Nationalist Party standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Monday said that the country’s ongoing crisis would deepen with any further delay in restoring the democratic order through a credible electoral process.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the founding anniversary of Dhaka Reporters Unity, he said that media freedom and democratic order were deeply interconnected.

Khasru observed that pressure on the media tended to increase as democratic structures weakened.

He further said that meaningful reforms could take place only under a government that was genuinely accountable to the people.

Neither policy statements nor administrative changes can ensure fundamental rights — including media freedom — without a democratic framework, Khasru commented

‘Democracy and the media work hand in hand. As long as democratic institutions remain weak or absent, pressure on the media will increase and its ability to serve the public interest will be undermined,’ he said.

The BNP leader highlighted the importance of constructive interaction between politicians and the media, saying that such engagement was essential for upholding democracy and ensuring national prosperity.

He said that politicians must demonstrate tolerance and refrain from reacting angrily to media criticism.

Instead, politicians should set an example by allowing the media to operate freely and without obstruction, Khasru suggested.​

 

[Saif]

ERD, EC, UN join hands to support inclusive, credible polls in Bangladesh

The Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh Election Commission and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed an agreement on Wednesday to launch the "BALLOT" project, a three-year-long initiative to support Bangladesh in conducting transparent, inclusive,

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

ERD, EC, UN join hands to support inclusive, credible polls in Bangladesh

UNB
Published :
May 28, 2025 23:05
Updated :
May 28, 2025 23:05

The Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh Election Commission and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed an agreement on Wednesday to launch the "BALLOT" project, a three-year-long initiative to support Bangladesh in conducting transparent, inclusive, and peaceful elections during a pivotal political transition.

The agreement was signed at ERD office in Dhaka by Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), Akhtar Ahmed, senior secretary of the Bangladesh Election Commission and Stefan Liller, resident representative of UNDP Bangladesh, in the presence of the UN Wing Chief KAM Sohel, additional secretary, Dr Susan Vize, country representative, UNESCO, Gitanjali Singh, UN women representative and other senior officials from ERD, EC and the UN.

The BALLOT Project is designed to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Bangladesh Election Commission, promote voter education and civic engagement, support legal and electoral reforms, and enhance safeguards against misinformation and electoral violence.

"We welcome this partnership with UNDP at a crucial juncture for Bangladesh's democratic journey," said Md Shahriar.

"ERD is committed to facilitating effective coordination between national institutions, development partners, and stakeholders to ensure that this project delivers on its goals, strengthening electoral integrity and upholding the will of the people," he added.

Akhtar Ahmed, senior secretary of the Bangladesh Election Commission, noted, "The BALLOT Project comes at a crucial time, offering BEC the technical and institutional support we need to deliver elections that are transparent, inclusive, and trusted by all citizens."

"With the BALLOT Project, UNDP is proud to stand by Bangladesh in advancing democratic governance," said Liller.

"This initiative is not just about technical support, it's a platform for strengthening institutions, empowering voters, and building trust in the electoral process. As Bangladesh moves forward, inclusive and credible elections are key to ensuring long-term peace and stability," said Liller.

The BALLOT Project (2025-2027) is a three-year initiative structured in two phases.

The first phase focuses on immediate electoral support, including technical preparations and voter outreach.

The second phase aims to institutionalise reforms and strengthen democratic resilience beyond the upcoming election cycle.

The project is being implemented in partnership with BEC, UN Women, UNESCO, and civil society organisations.​

 

[Saif]

Election to be held by 30 June, says CA’s press secretary

The national election will not be held after 30 June, the Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary has said. “It may be earlier, but June 30 is the final limit,” Shafiqul Alam told reporters at a press briefing in Dhaka on Sunday, following Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s visit to Ja

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Election to be held by 30 June, says CA’s press secretary

FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Jun 01, 2025 20:33
Updated :
Jun 01, 2025 20:33

The national election will not be held after 30 June, the Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary has said.

“It may be earlier, but June 30 is the final limit,” Shafiqul Alam told reporters at a press briefing in Dhaka on Sunday, following Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s visit to Japan.

“It could happen in December, January, February, March, April, May, or June — but not beyond June 30,” he added.

Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Ahmad Foyez were also present.​

 

[Saif]

Tk 29.56 billion allocated for Election Commission in proposed budget

The proposed national budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year has allocated Tk 29.56 billion (2,956 crore) for the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat -- more than double the Tk 12.30 billion (1,230 crore) earmarked in the current fiscal year. Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed unveiled the Tk

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Tk 29.56 billion allocated for Election Commission in proposed budget

Published :
Jun 02, 2025 20:56
Updated :
Jun 02, 2025 20:56

The proposed national budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year has allocated Tk 29.56 billion (2,956 crore) for the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat -- more than double the Tk 12.30 billion (1,230 crore) earmarked in the current fiscal year.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed unveiled the Tk 7.9 trillion budget on Monday through state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar, UNB reports.

Of the total allocation for the EC, Tk 27.27 billion (2,727 crore) has been designated for operating expenses, while Tk 2.29 billion (229 crore) will go towards development activities.

The operating budget marks a significant increase from the current allocation of Tk 7.93 billion (793 crore), which was later revised to Tk 7.16 billion (716 crore) for the 2024–25 fiscal year.

The sharp rise is widely believed to be aimed at covering the costs associated with the upcoming national election.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, during a recent visit to Japan, said the next national election will be held between December and June 2026. As such, the 12th parliamentary election is expected to be conducted during the 2025–26 fiscal year.

Earlier, the EC had requested approximately Tk 28 billion (2,800 crore) to conduct the next general election and ensure law and order during the polls.

The budget for the 12th general election, held on January 7, 2024, was Tk 22.76 billion (2,276 crore), while Tk 7 billion (700 crore) was allocated for the 11th general election held on December 30, 2018.​

 

[Saif]

Govt resorting to ploys to delay election: Rizvi

'Sheikh Hasina has seemingly relegated free and fair elections to the museum. After her removal, people hoped that Prof Muhammad Yunus would quickly restore their right to vote. But, the issue of the election is merely being stalled through various tactics.'

www.thedailystar.net

Govt resorting to ploys to delay election: Rizvi

BNP Senior Joint Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today accused the interim government of "resorting to tactics" to delay the national election, ignoring the hopes and aspirations of people.

"Sheikh Hasina has seemingly relegated free and fair elections to the museum. After her removal, people hoped that Prof Muhammad Yunus would quickly restore their right to vote. But, the issue of the election is merely being stalled through various tactics," he said.

The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at a doa mahfil and Eid gift distribution programme in the city's Uttara, organised by Rashid Group to mark the 44th death anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.

Rizvi said the interim government, led by Yunus, is set to complete one year in office this August, yet no visible reforms have so far been carried out.

He urged the government to implement the necessary reforms promptly in a bid to hold the election by December, in line with the wishes of the people.

The BNP leader also said the people of the country are eagerly waiting for the election to choose their representatives, as they have long been deprived of their right to vote.

Later, Rizvi distributed Eid gifts to several hundred low-income group of people.

Earlier at a press conference at the BNP's Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi said neither party acting chairman Tarique Rahman's wife Zubaida Rahman nor their only daughter Zaima Rahman has any Facebook accounts.

"We are deeply concerned to notice that a criminal syndicate is intentionally creating fake and false Facebook accounts in the names of Dr Zubaida Rahman and Barrister Zaima Rahman, posting misleading and fabricated comments. The fraudsters are using AI to create and circulate fabricated images and videos of them on social media," he said.

He strongly condemned and protested such despicable activities on the social media.

Rizvi called for the immediate arrest and punishment of those responsible for creating the fake accounts in the names of the Zia family members.​