Deposit for UP elections increased fivefold

The security deposit for candidates in Union Parishad (UP) elections has been increased fivefold. The Election Commission (EC) has raised the deposit for chairman candidates from Tk 5,000 to Tk 25,000, and for general and reserved women member candidates from Tk 1,000 to Tk 5,000.

At the same time, the maximum election expenditure limit has been set at Tk 10 lakh for chairman candidates and Tk 2 lakh for member candidates. 

This doubles the previous expenditure ceiling. Under the new rules, a candidate’s deposit will be forfeited if they fail to secure at least 15% of the total votes cast in the election.

These provisions have been incorporated into the final gazette of the amendment to the Union Parishad Election Rules, 2026, published by the EC on Wednesday. 

Although Senior Secretary of the EC Akhtar Ahmed signed the gazette last Thursday, it was published on Wednesday.

Earlier last month, the EC finalised the draft amendment to the UP election rules and sent it to the Ministry of Law for vetting. 

After the ministry completed the vetting and legal processes, the commission published the final gazette. 

Preparations are also underway to send the separate election rules for the other four local government bodies - Upazila Parishad, Municipality, City Corporation, and Zila Parishad - to the Ministry of Law for vetting.

The amended UP election rules further state that the deposit of Tk 25,000 for chairman candidates and Tk 5,000 for member candidates must be submitted in favour of the concerned Returning Officer through treasury challan, pay order, or bank draft. 

Even if multiple nomination papers are submitted on behalf of a candidate, only one deposit will be required.

Regarding the refund of deposits, the rules say that any candidate who obtains at least 15% of the votes cast in the relevant election will get their deposit back. If a candidate receives less than 15% of the votes, the deposit will be forfeited and deposited into the government treasury. 

In addition, if an eligible candidate fails to claim the refund within six months of the publication of the election results in the official gazette, the amount will be treated as non-refundable and deposited into the government treasury.

Election expenditure limit  

Under the amended rules, the maximum election expenditure has been fixed at Tk 10 lakh for chairman candidates and Tk 2 lakh for member candidates. 

These provisions will also apply to election campaigning in the pre-election period. No expenditure may be incurred on any activity that violates these rules.

A provision has also been made for chairman candidates to open a separate account in a scheduled bank for managing election expenses. 

All election-related expenditure must be made from that account. Any expenditure of Tk 20,000 or more in a particular head must be paid by cheque.