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Published : 02 Jul 2025, 06:53 PM
The Japanese government will provide financial assistance to the BALLOT Project, an initiative taken by the Election Commission (EC) and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to help “strengthen” Bangladesh's electoral process.
It will provide a grant of $4.8 million under an agreement signed between Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori and UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stefan Liller on Wednesday at the Nirbachan Bhaban, or Election Building, in Dhaka’s Agargaon.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, four election commissioners, and Hideo Ishizuki, director-general of the International Cooperation Bureau at Japan’s foreign ministry.
Following the signing, the EC secretary told journalists: “UNDP secures its funding from various countries and organisations. A few days ago, Australia extended its support for the project.
“Today’s agreement with Japan is part of that same process. UNDP facilitates the process, but the Election Commission is the direct beneficiary.”
The funds under the BALLOT Project are already being used appropriately in support of the electoral process, he added.
Earlier, on Jun 18, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with Australia, under which the EC will receive 2 million Australian dollars in assistance.
After the agreement with Japan, a press note from the EC Secretariat says Japan will provide 695 million Japanese yen (approximately $4.8 million) in financial aid to enhance the Election Commission’s institutional, technical, and operational capacities.
“The project aims to strengthen voter and civic education, encourage greater participation of women, youth, and underrepresented communities, and ensure transparency and integrity throughout the electoral process by taking all necessary measures,” the statement read.
Welcoming the support, CEC Nasir Uddin said: “This agreement will help strengthen our operational framework and support the conduct of elections while upholding public trust and democratic values.”
Japanese Ambassador Kiminori said, “Bangladesh stands at a crucial point in its democratic journey. Japan respects Bangladesh’s sovereignty and fully supports its efforts toward peaceful and democratic political transformation through free, fair, and inclusive elections.
“We hope that this assistance through UNDP will make a significant contribution.”
Ahead of the 13th parliamentary election, UNDP is providing technical assistance to the EC.
As part of that effort, the commission launched the BALLOT Project with support from UNDP. It is scheduled to run until Dec 31, 2027, the EC secretary said.
