Ahead of the thirteenth national parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for February 12, the Election Commission has completed extensive administrative and organizational preparations. Nearly 800,000 officials will be directly involved in election duties across the country, marking one of the largest electoral operations in Bangladesh’s history. According to official data, this vast deployment aims to ensure a smooth, orderly, and credible voting process from polling day through the announcement of results.

At the top of the election management structure, 69 Returning Officers and 598 Assistant Returning Officers will oversee the process in their respective constituencies. They will supervise all stages of the election, including polling, monitoring, and coordination with law enforcement agencies.

For direct polling operations, 42,779 Presiding Officers will be stationed nationwide. Supporting them will be 247,482 Assistant Presiding Officers and 494,964 Polling Officers, all working at the grassroots level to facilitate voting, maintain order inside polling stations, and ensure compliance with electoral rules.

In total, 785,225 officials will be engaged in election-related responsibilities. Through this large-scale deployment, the Election Commission aims to guarantee a peaceful, transparent, and widely acceptable election, officials said.

A total of 42,779 polling centers have been set up across the country. Of these, 21,273 are classified as general polling centers, while 21,506 have been designated as important polling centers. The important centers are receiving additional security measures, including enhanced surveillance, the use of CCTV cameras, and the presence of extra law enforcement personnel.

The Election Commission has also made arrangements for swift result transmission and announcement. Results from individual polling centers will be sent in phases, with expectations that most outcomes will be available by night. This is intended to reduce uncertainty and prevent confusion following the close of voting.

To maintain law and order, strict security measures have been implemented nationwide. Additional forces have been deployed to sensitive and high-risk polling centers. Restrictions on the movement of certain vehicles have also been imposed before, during, and after election day to ensure voter safety and prevent disruptions.

Meanwhile, an election atmosphere is visible across Dhaka and other parts of the country. With public holidays and an extended break, many citizens are returning to their hometowns to cast their votes. Transportation systems have remained relatively stable, which is expected to encourage higher voter turnout.

Overall, the preparations for the thirteenth national parliamentary election and referendum reflect a massive and complex administrative effort. Through extensive manpower deployment, polling center management, and security arrangements, authorities hope the election will mark a significant step forward in strengthening the country’s democratic process.