EU to provide €4mn support package for Bangladesh elections

The European Union (EU) will provide a support package of €4 million ($4.67 million) to help Bangladesh's Election Commission (EC) organise the upcoming national elections in line with international standards, said EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the EC office in Agargaon on Tuesday (19 August), Ambassador Miller said the EU is working as a partner in Bangladesh's progress towards democratic elections, with the country preparing for polls in early 2026.

"I came here today especially to inform the Election Commission that the European Union will provide more than €4 million in support. This will help Bangladesh hold elections that maintain international standards. It was a very productive meeting. We will continue discussions with the interim government and the Election Commission on this matter," he said.

Ambassador Miller further noted that the EU will assist the Election Commission in several areas, including capacity-building, providing expert advice, supporting effective planning, and strengthening dispute resolution mechanisms.

Micheal Miller said, "The European Union is here working in partnership with Bangladesh in support of a transition that will lead up to democratic elections and I think you have also all heard that we are heading towards a timeline of early 2026. I came today to announce to the Bangladesh election commission that the European Union will provide a support package in excess of 4 million euros to help Bangladesh run elections in line with international standards."

"Here, today I was accompanied not only by the European Union delegation colleagues but also by the European Partnership for Democracy and these are our implementing partners, they are electoral experts who will be here to ensure that there is a strong focus on citizen observation in the coming elections," he added.