Special Correspondent :
The Election Commission (EC) has released Tk 271.83 crore to security agencies in advance for troops deployment across the country ahead of the 11th Parliamentary election schedule to be held in December 30.
Of the total allocation, Ansar-VDP got the highest amount of Tk 163.81 crore followed by Police Tk 63.22 crore, BGB Tk 33.02 crore, RAB Tk 10.20 crore and Coast Guard Tk 1.56 crore.
Officials said the Commission has already released the fund in favour of the security agencies.
“Food and fuel cost will cover the large portion of the expenditure along with transport, stationary and entertainment expenses,” an EC official told The New Nation yesterday, seeking anonymity.
Earlier, law-enforcement agencies have sought over Tk 1000 crore allocation from the EC for discharging election duty. Over six lakh members of law-enforcement agencies would be deployed across the country to work with local administration to ensure a safe and secure environment for voting as well as maintain law and order during the election.
Additionally, the Armed Forces, as per the “Aid to the Civil Power” policy issued by the Defence Ministry, will be on election duty to provide necessary aid to the civil administration in maintaining law and order during election. The EC has requested the Armed Forces Division to deploy troops across the country from December 24 as the striking force in the 11th Parliamentary election
The next general election will cost Tk700 crore for the national exchequer. The EC has already approved the allocation of the necessary funds for the upcoming election.
Election Commission Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed said that the Election has approved the sector-wise allocation of Tk700 crore to conduct the next general election.
Of the total expenditure, EC officials said about Tk 400 crore will be spent on maintaining law and order, while the remaining Tk 300 crore will be used to conduct the election as per projected estimates.
In the 2014 general election, the EC spent Tk 283 crore, including Tk 200 crore on maintaining law and order and Tk 83 crore on conducting the election in 147 constituencies, because the remaining 153 constituencies went uncontested.
The total expenditure was Tk 165.5 crore in the 9th general election, while Tk 72.71 crore in the 8th general election.
The first parliamentary elections held in 1973 cost Tk 81.36 lakh.
