EC proposes doubling security deposit, flexible campaign spending
The proposed amendments also include provisions to introduce a “No” vote
Proposed amendments to polls law:
- Security deposit raised from Tk20,000 to Tk50,000
- Campaign spending: Tk25 lakh or Tk10 per voter, whichever is higher
- Introduction of "No" vote
- Entire constituency's results annulled in case of irregularities
- Coalition members to contest under own party symbols
- No EVMs
- Include armed forces in the definition of law enforcement agencies
- Changes to 44 sections and sub-sections of RPO
The Election Commission (EC) has proposed a new framework for determining campaign expenses for candidates in the upcoming national elections. Under the proposal, a candidate may spend Tk25 lakh or Tk10 per voter, whichever is higher.
The EC has also proposed to increase the candidates' security deposit from Tk20,000 to Tk50,000.
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These proposals have been incorporated into the draft amendment to the Representation of the People Order (RPO). The AMM Nasir Uddin–led commission sent the draft, which includes changes to 43 more sections and sub-sections, to the law ministry on 2 September.
The proposed amendments also include provisions to introduce a "No" vote, annul the results of an entire constituency if irregularities occur, allow coalition members to contest under their own party symbols, exclude EVMs, and include the armed forces in the definition of law enforcement agencies.
EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said, "The proposed amendments to the RPO have been sent to the law ministry. After scrutiny and approval by the advisory council, the president will issue the ordinance."
Currently, the maximum campaign spending limit for a parliamentary candidate is Tk25 lakh, uniform across all constituencies. The EC believes this fixed ceiling is unrealistic because the number of voters varies widely between constituencies — some have around 2 lakh voters, while others have over 7 lakh.
If the new proposal is accepted, candidates in constituencies with more voters will be allowed to spend more. For example, in a seat with 7 lakh voters, a candidate could spend up to Tk70 lakh.
Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah said, "A candidate will be allowed to spend Tk10 per voter or Tk25 lakh — whichever is higher. This introduces flexibility in campaign spending."
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Director Muhammad Badiuzzaman, during a recent dialogue with the EC, said, "Election spending limits are not being enforced effectively. Our research shows that candidates spend several times more than the official limit."
He noted, "In the 8th national election, candidates spent more than twice the limit; in the next election, three times; and in the 10th, four times the limit. There must be a mechanism to control this overspending."
He added, "After the election, candidates submit their expense reports to the EC, but there is no obligation to make those reports public. This should be mandatory."
Badiuzzaman also urged the EC to ensure strict enforcement of penalties for violating the electoral code of conduct.
The EC's proposal to raise the security deposit from Tk20,000 to Tk50,000 means candidates will now have to deposit Tk50,000 when filing nomination papers. If a candidate receives less than 12.5% of the total valid votes cast, the deposit will be forfeited.
The RPO was first issued in December 1972 and has been amended at least 14 times since.
The EC has announced that the next national election will be held in the first half of February 2026, with the election schedule to be declared in early December this year.
