Japan to provide Tk56.5cr in electoral support to Bangladesh 

The Government of Japan will provide approximately Tk56.5 crore in financial support to Bangladesh to strengthen its electoral process. 

The funds – equivalent to about $4.8 million – will be channelled through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under a new agreement and utilised through the Election Commission's "Ballot" project.

The agreement was signed today at the Election Commission headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, in the presence of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh SAIDA Shinichi and UNDP Bangladesh's Resident Representative Stefan Liller signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations.

Also present were Election Commission's Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed and Hideo Ishizuki, Director General of the International Cooperation Bureau of Japan's foreign affairs ministry.

The Ballot (Building Accountability, Legitimacy, and Leadership through an Organised Transition) Project aims to build the institutional capacity of the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC), promote civic education, support legal and electoral reforms, and reinforce measures against disinformation and electoral violence.

According to the EC, this agreement marks Japan as a key partner in supporting Bangladesh's efforts to hold free, fair, and inclusive national elections. The grant will help strengthen the EC's institutional, technical, and operational capacities. 

The project will also promote broader participation of women, youth, and underrepresented groups, and ensure transparency and integrity throughout the electoral process.

Welcoming the support, CEC Nasir Uddin said, "The partnership would bolster the commission's capacity and enhance public confidence and democratic values in organising elections."

Japanese Ambassador Saida Shinichi remarked that Bangladesh is at a critical juncture on its democratic journey. He reaffirmed Japan's respect for Bangladesh's sovereignty and support for peaceful and inclusive democratic transition through free and fair elections. He expressed hope that the Japanese assistance through UNDP would significantly contribute to this cause.

UNDP's Stefan Liller expressed deep gratitude for Japan's generosity and long-standing partnership. He stated, "The support injects fresh energy into the shared goal of helping Bangladesh deliver peaceful and credible elections that reflect the true will of the people." 

The collaboration, he said, is a symbol of the friendship between Bangladesh and Japan and their shared commitment to peace, human security, and democratic development across the Indo-Pacific.

The Ballot project has a total estimated budget of $18.53 million and is set to run until 31 December 2027. It will be implemented in two phases. The first phase will focus on urgent electoral preparations and voter outreach, while the second phase will aim to institutionalise reforms and reinforce democratic resilience beyond the upcoming election cycle.