Dhaka, Jan 09 (V7N) - The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has issued detailed directives regarding the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and the concurrent referendum, including measures to handle voting disruptions, ballot security, postal voting, and polling day procedures.

According to a circular signed by EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain on Thursday, voting will take place uninterrupted on February 12, 2026, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Returning officers are required under Section 24 of the Representation of the People Order, 1972, to issue public notifications specifying polling times and locations and ensure local dissemination.

The circular specifies that if voting is disrupted due to circumstances beyond control and cannot resume within the scheduled hours, the presiding officer must declare the polling station closed. If ballot boxes are damaged, destroyed, or vote counting becomes impossible, the votes at that station will be annulled. The returning officer will arrange for re-polling with EC approval. If results from a single station are critical to determining the overall constituency outcome, the EC may order re-polling at the affected center, allowing all eligible voters to cast their ballots. Under Section 91 of the Representation of the People Order, the EC has authority to suspend polling and electoral activities if law enforcement, intimidation, or natural disasters make free and fair voting impossible.

Postal Voting and Ballot Submission

Overseas and designated category voters will cast their votes via IT-supported postal ballots (OCV and ICV). Presiding officers must also send a copy of the vote count from each polling station to the EC using postal services. Special envelopes will be provided to each polling station, and local post offices will remain open 24 hours to facilitate timely submission.

Polling Station Setup and Access

The EC mandates displaying environmentally friendly banners at all polling stations, showing the names and symbols of competing candidates. Posters must also indicate who is allowed entry to the polling area, ensuring unauthorized persons are barred. Referendum-related banners must clearly reference the July National Constitution (Amendment) Order, 2025, and associated proposals, with funding for printing provided by the EC.

Ballot Paper Security

The EC has issued strict instructions to safeguard ballot papers and other election materials from government printing presses to polling centers, including special security arrangements in coordination with law enforcement. Returning and presiding officers are responsible for secure distribution and must report any discrepancies or irregularities immediately to the EC Secretariat.

The circular also clarifies that after candidate withdrawals, the EC will provide final lists of competing candidates with assigned symbols for ballot printing. Ballots have already been printed and dispatched for registered postal voters. Other election materials will be supplied from BG Press, Government Printing Press, and Security Printing Press.

Authorized Receipt of Ballots

Returning officers will send a senior first-class official from the district or sub-district election office along with their own representative to receive ballots in Dhaka. Officials receiving ballots must carry written authorization from the returning officer.

Verification and Error Correction

Ballots received from the press must be verified against candidate names, symbols, and voter counts. Each constituency’s Form-5 list must be cross-checked. Any discrepancies must be corrected immediately.

Transport and Storage

The EC has instructed strict security during transport and storage of ballots and election materials, ensuring the confidentiality of ballot papers, marking seals, and official seals. Law enforcement will assist in maintaining security at all stages.

Polling Day and Materials

Presiding officers are required to receive ballots and election materials at the polling station the day before voting. Local law enforcement will ensure the security of all materials during distribution. Minor election supplies, such as pens, paper, placards, and wall posters, may be procured or printed locally, with EC-provided funding and quality control oversight.

The EC confirmed that voting for the National Parliament election and referendum will occur on the same day, February 12, 2026.

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