"At an inter-ministerial meeting, we will explore whether any foreign aid is available for the task," EC Secretary Humayun Kabir said yesterday at a weekly press briefing.

The EC has convened the inter-ministerial meeting on Sunday at its secretariat. The meeting will also discuss technical aspects of the mega project involving an estimated cost of Tk 350 crore.

Secretaries to the ministries of finance and science and information technology, and Economic Relations Division (ERD) of the planning ministry have been asked to attend the meeting.

Meanwhile, no local or foreign consultant joined the EC Secretariat till yesterday to begin the task of preparing the project proposal for voter list.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda said on April 5 that six consultants including three from abroad would start work for the project proposal next week. An 18-month period required for the task will begin when they join their job, the CEC added.

The EC secretary however could not specify when the consultants will begin their work. "We hope they will come soon," he said.

Humayun avoided a reply when asked if the 18 months' time already began this week.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will provide the EC with financial assistance for preparing the project proposal.

The EC secretary told the press briefing that they are now finalising a list of civil society groups and personalities for inviting them to discuss proposed electoral reforms. "Dialogue with the civil society will begin this month."

He however could not say when dialogue with political parties will begin.

Earlier on April 5, the CEC at a meeting with the law adviser asked the government to withdraw embargo on indoor politics so that the EC can hold talks with political parties on electoral reforms.

The government took no decision in this regard until yesterday.

The EC is now drafting a set of proposals concerning polls-related code of conduct and it will be finalised next week, the secretary said.