Even after the conclusion of the 12th National Assembly elections, the political arena is expected to remain as heated as before. According to sources within the Ministry of Home Affairs, there are concerns that incidents such as conflicts, clashes, and arson may recur post-election. In addition to the police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and members of the Ansar forces have been deployed to ensure the security of vital public and private institutions and installations across the country. Similar to the pre-election period, vehicles are being transported to specific destinations with heightened highway security. These services have led to a significant increase in public security expenditure.

To determine the revised budget for the financial year 2023-24 in the Public Security Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs, a meeting of the Finance Department was convened last month (December 21, 2023). They have requested an additional budget ceiling of Tk 1,370 crore 79 lahks, representing an increase of about 6 per cent over the allocated budget. However, the finance department is reluctant to allocate this extra funding to the public safety department. This financial proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of Finance as a separate measure. Officials from the finance department questioned the need for additional funds for the next six months, pointing out that there is currently no opposition party agitation, including from the BNP.

An anonymous official from the Home Ministry revealed that human rights organisations from the US, the UK, and the United Nations have assessed the January 7 election, concluding that it was not free and fair. The official anticipates that opposition parties, including the BNP, will persist in their struggles in the coming months, maintaining strikes and blockades as before.

The official further asserted that if the Western countries impose trade bans, personal sanctions, and economic restrictions, the BNP and the opposition will continue their agitation to overthrow the government. Economist Dr Reza Kibria, speaking to Bangla Outlook, commented on the government's spending on security, stating that while the current government has reduced costs for the ordinary people, such changes cannot happen overnight due to financial constraints.

Dr Kibria also emphasised on the need for accountability within the Ministry of Home Affairs when a new government takes over, particularly for those responsible for misusing the country's resources, leading to disappearances and murders of innocent people.

Notably, the revised budget for the Public Security Department in the financial year 2022-23 was reduced by Tk. 1 thousand 521 crores 79 lakhs. During that period, the revised budget for the department stood at 21 thousand 458 crore 49 lakh taka.