Dhaka: The government has allocated Taka 6.04 crore to renovate and repair 947 non-government educational institutions that will be used as polling centres for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election and referendum. “The government has undertaken the initiative to renovate and repair 947 educational institutions across the country to ensure overall security and readiness of polling centres designated for the upcoming national election,” Superintending Engineer of the Education Engineering Department (EED) Md Shahjahan Ali told BSS.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the allocated funds will be used for repairing doors and windows, installing or fixing lights and fans, improving sanitary facilities in bathrooms, and addressing other necessary electrical works. To ensure proper implementation of the renovation works, two committees have been formed at the district and upazila levels to carry out the activities transparently. The EED issued the expenditure sanction order last night and sent it to the Chief Accounts and Finance Officer of the Ministry of Education.
A letter signed by Accounts Officer Md Abu Sayeed Chowdhury on behalf of the department’s chief engineer indicates that the funds will be spent from the “Repair and Rehabilitation of Non-Government Educational Institutions” under the operational budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Each listed institution has received a maximum allocation of up to Taka 1,88,000.
Alongside the allocation, the Ministry of Education has formed two high-level committees to ensure the renovation works are completed quickly and transparently. In an order signed by Deputy Secretary (Development-3) A S M Shahriar Jahan, it was stated that at the district and city corporation levels, the executive engineer of the respective district’s EED will serve as the committee chair, while the head of the concerned institution will act as member secretary.
In another order issued the same day, it was mentioned that at the upazila level, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) will serve as committee chair, with the head of the concerned institution acting as member secretary. The allocation order outlines six conditions for expenditure. The funds must be used solely for repairing and maintaining polling centres at the selected educational institutions.
The funds cannot be spent on any educational institution other than those listed. Government financial rules and the Public Procurement Rules (PPR)-2025 must be strictly followed in spending the funds. Any irregularities detected in expenditure or bill payments in the future will make the spending authority liable. The allocated funds cannot be used to pay arrears from previous fiscal years. Any unspent funds must be deposited back into the government treasury.
EED Superintending Engineer Md Shahjahan Ali stated that with the allocation now confirmed, preparations of polling centres across the country will proceed at a faster pace. He emphasized that the government has prioritised this urgent renovation programme to ensure a fair and conducive environment for the upcoming national election and referendum.
EED Accounts Officer Md Abu Sayeed Chowdhury mentioned that the funds will be used exclusively for renovation, repair, and procurement of electrical equipment for educational institutions designated as polling centres, ensuring no diversion for other purposes or settling previous years’ dues.