Japan has committed $4.8 million in aid to the Election Commission’s ballot project, implemented under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), ahead of Bangladesh’s national parliamentary elections. The total project cost is $18.53 million. The contract signing ceremony at the Election Commission building in Agargaon was attended by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller, and Japanese Ambassador Saida Shinichi. Earlier, Australia had pledged $2 million in support. The funds will be used to strengthen the Election Commission’s institutional and technical capacity, enhance voter and civic education, promote participation by women and youth, ensure representation of marginalized groups, and improve electoral transparency.