Dhaka: The Election Commission (EC) has instructed all district election offices to prepare a panel of polling officials, including presiding officers, assistant presiding officers, and polling officers, in anticipation of the upcoming 13th national election.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, an official letter signed by EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossen mandates that the panels must be finalized and reported to the EC Secretariat by October 30. District election officials have been directed to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Representation of the People Order, 1972 (RPO) when preparing these panels.
The letter specifies that individuals with questionable skills, impartiality, or affiliations with any political party must not be included in the panels. It emphasizes that priority should be given to candidates who demonstrate competence, honesty, integrity, and neutrality.
Furthermore, the EC has instructed that a sufficient number of women be included in the panel to ensure the appointment of female assistant presiding officers and polling officers, particularly for women-only polling centers. In addition to the panel for polling officials, the letter indicates that a separate panel will be prepared following further decisions from the Election Commission.