Background

Following Bangladesh’s political transition and the formation of an Interim Government in 2024, the country has embarked on an ambitious reform process to restore public confidence and prepare for inclusive, credible national elections scheduled for February 2026. At the formal request of the Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC) and under the mandate of the UN Secretary-General, the UN launched a dedicated electoral assistance programme led by UNDP, in collaboration with UN Women and UNESCO. Guided by the UN Needs Assessment Mission (January 2025), the BALLOT Project seeks to strengthen BEC’s institutional capacity and builds public trust through civic engagement and information integrity initiatives

About the Project

The BALLOT Project supports Bangladesh’s ongoing democratic transition by enhancing the institutional, technical, and outreach capacities of the Bangladesh Election Commission to deliver peaceful, transparent, and inclusive elections. The project addresses key challenges such as limited public trust, resource and capacity constraints, and the growing threats of misinformation and digital disinformation.

It seeks to empower citizens, especially women, youth, minorities, and persons with disabilities, to participate more actively in electoral processes through nationwide voter education, civic engagement, and dialogue platforms. In parallel, BALLOT strengthens electoral governance by improving transparency, accountability, and the integrity of information ecosystems.

This initiative aligns with Bangladesh’s national priorities and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and contributes to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

UNDP Bangladesh implements the project in close partnership with the Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC) and in collaboration with UN Women and UNESCO, leveraging their expertise in gender equality, media development, and information integrity. Through institutional capacity building, civic and voter education, media and information literacy, and support for electoral reform, the project aims to foster an inclusive democratic culture and strengthen citizens’ confidence in governance.

Over its three-year period (2025–2027), the project will reach millions of citizens nationwide through awareness campaigns, capacity-building initiatives, and information integrity interventions. Its overarching goal is to strengthen electoral integrity and accountability in Bangladesh, ensuring that democratic processes are representative, inclusive, and sustainable.