EC signs agreement with UNDP and Australia for ‘The BALLOT Project’

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has signed a financial cooperation agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Australia under a new initiative titled "The BALLOT Project", aiming to strengthen the electoral process ahead of the next national parliamentary election.

The agreement signing ceremony was held on Wednesday (June 18) at the Election Commission headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller, and Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle were present at the event.

Under the agreement, UNDP will provide USD 18.53 million to support the project. Australia, as the first donor partner, has pledged to contribute AUD 2 million. The BALLOT Project is scheduled to run until December 31, 2027.

The initiative includes 16 key components, focusing on capacity building, awareness campaigns, training, institutional reform, and enhanced voter outreach. The project will also emphasize inclusive participation, particularly targeting women, youth, minorities, persons with disabilities, elderly voters, and first-time voters.

CEC Nasir Uddin said, “The BALLOT Project will help us strengthen systems, build trust, and deliver elections that all citizens can believe in.”

Australian High Commissioner Susan Ryle said, “Australia supports Bangladesh on its pathway to democratic elections. We are proud to contribute AUD 2 million to the BALLOT Project in partnership with the United Nations.” She also mentioned that five EC officials had recently been invited to Australia for training related to electoral governance.

Stefan Liller, UNDP’s Resident Representative in Bangladesh, said that the project was developed following a UN-led needs assessment mission conducted at the request of the EC. He noted that the initiative reflects the UN's strong and continued commitment to supporting democratic governance in Bangladesh.

"Australia’s leadership as the first funding partner is a vital step in ensuring a credible, inclusive, and transparent electoral process," Liller added.

The BALLOT Project also includes a dedicated component on media and elections, focusing on the promotion of freedom of expression, journalist safety, and combating misinformation and disinformation during election periods.

The project will be implemented in two phases: the first phase will focus on immediate electoral support and technical preparations; the second phase will work toward institutionalizing reforms and building long-term democratic resilience beyond the upcoming election.