Govt may revise election budget as referendum adds extra costs: Finance Adviser

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Monday (November 24) said the government may need to revise the election budget as holding the national election and the referendum on the same day will inevitably raise costs particularly for security and manpower.

“When we first received their proposal, the referendum was not in the plan. Naturally, holding both on the same day will involve additional expenses. You will need more manpower, more security, more logistics,” he told reporters after a meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase at the Secretariat.

Dr Salehuddin said that even after the announcement of the election schedule essential emergency spending can still be accommodated.

“There is nothing for the Finance Ministry to worry about. If the Election Commission needs something urgently, that can be arranged,” he said.

He also said expenses may rise due to the ongoing registration of Bangladeshi expatriate voters at embassies abroad.

“Foreign missions are doing preparatory work. Officers are collecting information and overtime costs will be involved. The Foreign Ministry may request funds. We will provide support,” he said.

Asked about the Chief Election Commissioner’s recent remark that holding a referendum alongside the national election would be a major challenge, Dr Salehuddin said the issue was outside his jurisdiction.

He said both votes on the same day is more practical.

“This is a government decision. Doing it on two separate days would require the entire mobilisation twice—returning officers, teachers, bank officials, everyone. It is not easy. Many countries hold referendums and national polls on the same day. Logistically, it is better,” he said.

On the use of body cameras by law enforcement agencies during the polls, Dr Salehuddin said the government has already taken a policy decision and procurement will proceed through the respective security agencies.

“The purchase committee has made a decision. We have instructed the relevant agencies to procure the equipment using their allocated budgets and in a transparent manner,” he said.

He declined to reveal how many cameras might be bought.

“It is not my responsibility to decide numbers. This falls under the Home Ministry and its agencies. The Election Commission will only identify sensitive locations. Police, BGB, RAB and other agencies will procure and use them. There is nothing to worry about,” he added.

Dr Salehuddin also said the Finance Division recently scrapped a proposal to buy 100 replacement vehicles for the cabinet members of the next elected government.            

“Sometimes wrong messages go out. The vehicles were replacement units, not extra ones. Still, we canceled the plan because it is not necessary now,” he said.

He added that the Finance Division has already begun internal budget revisions.

“We are reviewing the budget. All ministries have been given a deadline to submit their final estimates. In December we will revise the national budget, and by January we will keep the election budget ready for the next government. Everything remains open,” he said