Dhaka, Dec 17 (bdnews24.com) - The Election Commission is to get whatever money necessary from the finance ministry to conduct different activities including updating the voter list for the next election.
Finance and commerce adviser Dr Shoeb Ahmed Sunday spoke to journalists at his office, about the different phases of the Tk 100 crore allocation for the purpose.
The adviser said that Tk 12 crore had already been released. Another Tk 57 crore is to be released soon, and the remaining Tk 31 crore would come as per the demand of the Election Commission.
Replying to a question, adviser Shoeb Ahmed said that whatever the amount required for a free and fair election, would be provided and that the government was ready for it.
The adviser however did not say anything about whether the money was being given to the election commission as financial grant/loan or from any other sector.
Shoeb Ahmed denied having had any talks with the Bangladesh Bank governor about realising default loans or disqualifying the loan defaulters from the election fray. He said that the central bank was an autonomous institution and working spontaneously in this regard.
He said that though he held a meeting with the governor, they had not discussed anything about the matter.
Regarding government policy on different issues including reforms to the Election Commission, the adviser evaded questions. He expressed the hope that he might be able to talk about the matters in a couple of days. "But at the moment I do not have any special message", the adviser added.
Dr Shoeb said that several advisers to the caretaker government were working to ensure participation of all parties in the election. "All of us will have to work for this. That is why we are concentrating on work rather than talk."
Dr Shoeb urged all parties to build amity in national life and said: "All politicians command our respect. All of them are working for nation building. They are working from their individual political ideals and goals.
"All the advisers also have the responsibility of working for elections alongside routine work. All citizens and the media will also have to play an important role to this end," he said.
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