Staff Correspondent:

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said the interim government would not hesitate to utilise the fund allocated earlier which is necessary for holding the next election.

The adviser said this while talking to reporters after the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase held at Bangladesh Secretariat.

The national budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year has allocated Tk 2,956 crore for the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat — more than double the Tk 1,230 crore earmarked in the last fiscal year.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed unveiled the Tk 790,000-crore budget on June 2.

Of the total allocation for the EC, Tk 2,727 crore has been allocated for operating expenses, while Tk 229 crore will go towards development activities.

The operating budget marks a significant increase from the current allocation of Tk 793 crore, which was later revised to Tk 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 which is likely to be held in February next year.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, during a recent visit to London, held a meeting with BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

Following the meeting, a joint statement from the interim government and BNP said the next election is likely to be held in February next. As such, the 12th parliamentary election is expected to be held during the 2025–26 fiscal year.

Earlier, the EC had requested approximately Tk 2,800 crore to hold 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 2,276 crore, while Tk 700 crore was allocated for the 11th general election held on December 30, 2018.