Local government elections may cost Tk 6,000cr: Shahe Alam

Elections to five tiers of local government in the country could cost around Tk 6,000 crore, while voting is unlikely to begin this year, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam said Wednesday (September 23).

Speaking to reporters at the Local Government Ministry, Shahe Alam said the Election Commission had estimated the cost at around Tk 6,000 crore and the government was preparing to make the necessary funds available. The final expenditure, however, could vary from the estimate.

He said Union Parishad elections could cost Tk 2,700-2,800 crore, while Upazila Parishad polls could require Tk 2,200-2,300 crore. Elections to municipalities and city corporations are expected to cost comparatively less.

On the timing, Shahe Alam said recent statements and activities of the Election Commission suggested that local government elections were unlikely to begin this year. He said Union Parishad elections were expected to be completed by June 6 next year, although the EC would set the specific dates.

The EC has separately said the local polls will not be held in November or December this year.

The state minister said preparatory discussions had already been held with relevant government secretaries and another meeting could take place at the end of September or in the first week of October.

The government wants the elections completed within the current fiscal year, he said, while leaving the timing and conduct of the polls to the Election Commission.

The EC has been coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies over preparations for the elections, with the timetable still subject to further discussions.