In the context of Bangladesh’s current political climate, a new three-year initiative titled “BALLOT” has been launched to support the organization of free, fair, and credible elections. On Wednesday, May 28, a formal agreement was signed among the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the Ministry of Finance, the Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

According to a press release issued on Thursday, May 29, by the UN office in Dhaka, the BALLOT project aims to enhance the institutional capacity of the Election Commission, increase voter education and civic awareness, support electoral and legal reforms, and improve safeguards against misinformation and election-related violence.

Spanning from 2025 to 2027, the BALLOT project will operate in two phases. The first phase will focus on upcoming electoral preparations, including technical readiness and outreach to voters. The second phase will work toward institutionalizing reforms and strengthening democratic stability following the elections. The implementation will involve collaboration with BEC, UN Women, UNESCO, civil society organizations, and other development partners.

The agreement was signed by ERD Secretary Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, BEC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, and UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stefan Liller. Present at the ceremony were Additional Secretary and UN Wing Chief of ERD A.K.M. Sohel, UNESCO Bangladesh Representative Dr. Susan Vize, UN Women Country Representative Gitanjali Singh, and other senior officials from both the government and the UN.

Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky emphasized that at a critical juncture in Bangladesh’s democratic journey, this collaboration with UNDP is a welcome step. He affirmed ERD’s commitment to ensuring effective coordination among national institutions, development partners, and stakeholders to strengthen electoral governance and meet public expectations.

BEC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed remarked that the BALLOT project arrives at a vital moment, offering the technical and institutional support necessary for organizing transparent, inclusive, and credible elections.

UNDP’s Stefan Liller stated that the organization is proud to support Bangladesh in its democratic progress. He noted that the BALLOT initiative is more than technical assistance—it is a platform for empowering institutions, building voter confidence, and promoting long-term peace, accountability, and public trust through inclusive and credible elections.