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A day after the Election Commission (EC) received Tk 250 million (25 crore), which is less than what had been requisitioned, the EC Thursday disclosed that an additional amount of money would be sought soon for updating the voters' list through home visit, which could not progress much to catch up with the deadline, reports UNB.
"The budget we got is less than we sought…Within a few days, we will seek further funds that will be required," EC Secretary Abdur Rashid Sarker told reporters at his office, adding, "It is difficult to say how much more will be needed…We are calculating."
Asked if there was any condition for the allocation, Sarker said, "Nothing much…We were told to act as per the Supreme Court judgment, which we are doing."
About the progress of the updating, he said more than 7.0 million voters have already been included while nearly 0.6 million ineligible voters have been deleted from the list. Percentage-wise, 45 per cent of the task has been completed.
Failing to provide specific information about the progress of the job in the capital, Sarker admitted that updating in capital city is complicated.
About extending time beyond August 10, he said time will be extended, if necessary.
Asked how much money will each assisting official get, he would not tell the exact amount, but said, "We hope they will not be paid less than the last time."
Responding to a query the EC Secretary admitted data enumerators and assisting officials are never given proper honorarium. "In a way, they extend their cooperation for the sake of the country."
Asked about using transparent ballot box suggested by the European Union (EU) and demanded by main opposition Awami League, the EC Secretary said it is for the Commission to decide. "The EC thinks it is not possible to change ballot box without an all-party decision."
But, he said he personally believes it is not possible to make a decision on this issue before the next general election.
In reply to a query, Sarker also said it is possible to hold a transparent election with the existing type of ballot boxes.
About granting leave for those who are working as assisting officials, he said the EC has already written to concerned ministries, and he was informed that the concerned ministries already instructed authorities accordingly.
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