United News of Bangladesh

The distribution of ballot papers and other election materials to polling centres began Wednesday morning, ahead of voting in the Bangladesh national election and referendum, which is set to start at 7:30 am Thursday. Presiding officers in charge of polling centres are receiving ballot papers and other materials, according to reports sent by UNB correspondents of different districts including Sylhet, Gazipur, Lalmonirhat, Chapainawabganj, Barishal, Habiganj, Faridpur and Cumilla . Ballot boxes, indelible ink, stamps and other necessary equipment were handed to the presiding officers of each centre after 9am. Earlier Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasiruddin said  all electoral materials including ballot papers have already been distributed to the returning officers for the respective constituencies and the ballot papers are currently being distributed to the polling centers. Distribution of ballot papers and election materials from assistant returning officers’ offices will begin on Wednesday morning and is expected to reach the polling stations by evening, Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah said at a press briefing on Tuesday. On February 2, the Election Commission started sending ballot papers with candidates’ names and symbols to returning officers. Other election materials were also sent across the country in phases along with the ballot papers. The materials were preserved at the offices of the returning officers and are now being delivered to polling centres a day before voting. UNB Barishal correspondent reports: 36 candidates are contesting across six constituencies. Khairul Alam Sumon, Barishal’s Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner, said all measures have been taken to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election. “The delivery of ballot boxes, ballot papers, and other election materials will be completed today. We will not compromise on a neutral election under any circumstances,” he added. Sylhet Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Md Sarwar Alam formally inaugurated the distribution process around 10:30am, handing over materials to assistant returning officers and presiding officers. In Gazipur, 935 polling centers in five parliamentary constituencies are receiving materials under strict security. Sazzad Hossain, Assistant Returning Officer and Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Gazipur Sadar Upazila, said all preparations have been completed to ensure a free and fair election. Under the leadership of presiding and assistant presiding officers, ballot papers, ballot boxes, and other materials have been sent to the centers. “We hope voting will be conducted peacefully tomorrow,” he added. A total of 127,298,522 voters (in 299 constituencies) are eligible to cast their ballots in this election. Of them, 64,620,077 are male voters, 62,677,232 are female voters and 1,213 are third-gender voters. CEC Nasir Uddin reaffirms commitment to peaceful, credible elections The country has a total of 127,711,899 voters (in 300 constituencies) –64,825,154 males, 62,885,525 females and 1,220 third-gender. Nearly 800,000 officials will be engaged in election duties in more than 42,600 polling stations in the 299 constituencies, while nearly another 800,000 security personnel will protect the polling stations. Meanwhile, some 50,000 observers from 80 registered domestic organisations will monitor the election, while nearly 500 foreign observers are expected to oversee the election.

Authorities have begun transporting election materials by helicopters to 20 remote polling centres in Rangamati district ahead of the national election. A total of 213 polling centres will be used in Rangamati, of which 20 are located in extremely remote hilly areas. Rangamati Additional District Magistrate Nishat Sharmeen said the transportation of election materials and officials will continue in several phases until February 10. Due to geographical challenges, some of these centres cannot be reached on foot while reaching others can take two to three days. The helicopter operation started on Saturday morning, with election materials, presiding officers and polling staff being flown to the remote centres in phases. Of the 20 centres, six are in Baghaichhari, two in Barkal, seven in Juraichhari and five in Bilaichhari upazilas. More than 30,000 voters are registered at these centres.