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.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali on Monday said 37 polling centres in the capital have been identified as risky ahead of the national election. He disclosed the information at a press conference on the security plan taken by DMP on the occasion of the election at the DMP Media Centre. “Seven police personnel equipped with body cameras will be deployed at each of the 37 risky polling centres. These centres are mostly in remote areas with narrow roads, which is why additional police presence has been arranged,” he said. The commissioner said the city has 1,614 important polling stations and 517 general polling stations. Four police personnel will be deployed at each important station while three will be stationed at each general polling station, he said. Sajjat Ali added that all necessary preparations have been taken to ensure a peaceful election and prevent any untoward incidents. He also said 25,000 DMP members have received election-related training. The DMP’s Special Reserve Force, Bomb Disposal Unit and Dog Squad will also remain deployed to handle any situation. DMP Commissioner orders highest security at Dhaka polling centres Additional Police Commissioner (Admin) Sarwar and Additional Police Commissioner SM Nazrul Islam were present at the briefing. Meanwhile, he said, extensive security measures have been put in place in the capital centring the national election.

Out of 203 polling centres in Khagrachhari for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election, 189 have been identified as risky by district police and intelligence agencies, while 68 of them have been classified as highly risky. Sources said reports on the risky centres have already been sent to the Election Commission. Among the highly risky centres, Khagrachhari Sadar upazila has the highest number with 16 centres, followed by Ramgarh with 11, Guimara with 10, Manikchhari with nine, Mahalchhari with eight, Matiranga with five, Dighinala with four, Panchhari with three and Lakshmichhari with two. Only 14 centres have been considered general. Due to remote locations and poor communication, election materials and law enforcement personnel will be transported by helicopter to three centres — Naraichhari in Dighinala upazila and Futtyachhari and Shuknachhari in Lakshmichhari upazila. According to Election Commission data, the total number of voters in the Khagrachhari constituency is 554,114. Of them, 149,626 voters are registered at the 68 highly risky centres. Local voters and public representatives said that scattered settlements, long walking distances and communication difficulties in the hilly areas often prevent voters from reaching polling centres. They believe increasing the number of centres would reduce risks and boost voter turnout. 4 candidates seek special security at high-risk polling stations in Khagrachhari Khagrachhari District Election Officer SM Shahadat Hossain said the centres were identified based on observations by the police Special Branch (DSB) and that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure peaceful voting. Khagrachari Superintendent of Police Sayem Mirza Sayem Mahmud said additional law enforcement personnel would be deployed at highly risky centres, patrols would be intensified and intelligence surveillance strengthened.

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda on Saturday he was happy with the overall atmosphere of the Dhaka city election.