Tk446cr additional funds sought for Ansar ahead of election
Finance ministry turns down previous request for Tk687cr, allocates only Tk27cr
Highlights:
- Home ministry seeks Tk446 crore extra for Ansar, VDP
- Tk191 crore for arms, Tk196 crore for uniforms
- Tk31 crore for equipment, Tk28 crore for vehicles
- Earlier Tk687 crore request cut to Tk27 crore
- 5.85 lakh Ansar, VDP to secure 45,000 centres
- Elections scheduled February; EC budgeted Tk2,080 crore overall
The home ministry has requested Tk446 crore in additional funding from the finance ministry to procure weapons, ammunition, and uniforms for Ansar and VDP members ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.
The request includes Tk191 crore for arms and ammunition and Tk196 crore for uniforms.
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According to a letter sent to the finance ministry on 10 September, the home ministry stated that a further Tk31 crore will be spent on security equipment and Tk28 crore on motor vehicles for a total of 5,85,000 Ansar and VDP personnel who will be deployed during the elections.
The current 2025-26 fiscal year budget allocates Tk203 crore for Ansar's weapons, ammunition, uniforms, security gear, vehicles, and training.
Previous requests and approvals
This is the second such request. Finance ministry officials told TBS that on 6 August, the home ministry initially sought Tk687 crore for these purchases. The finance ministry responded by allocating only Tk27 crore for weapons and ammunition, returning the rest of the proposal.
A senior finance ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that in response to the August proposal, the home ministry was advised to seek funds from the Election Commission, which has a dedicated budget for the national elections.
This led to a tripartite meeting on 9 September, chaired by Home Secretary Nasimul Goni, attended by the finance secretary, the secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat, and heads of election-related directorates. During this meeting, the finance secretary agreed in principle to provide the additional funding, prompting the new request for Tk446 crore.
Election preparations underway
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has announced that the 13th national parliamentary elections will be held in early February next year. In line with this, the Election Commission has released its roadmap, with the election schedule expected to be announced in early December.
The home and public administration ministries have already started organising the field administration and providing necessary training and preparations.
In its letter, the home ministry noted that the elections would involve 45,000 polling centres nationwide. It stated that 1,35,000 Ansar members and 4,50,000 VDP members would be deployed to secure these centres and protect presiding officers, necessitating the additional allocation for equipment and vehicles.
A senior finance ministry official told TBS, "The budget includes allocations for both the home ministry for training and equipment for law enforcement agencies, and the Election Commission, which has been allocated Tk2,080 crore."
"We will discuss with the home ministry what kind of support the finance ministry can provide to complete the election preparations and take the necessary steps," the official added.
Earlier, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed had told reporters at an event that the government would not be "stingy" in providing election funds.
