Over half of the total polling stations for the upcoming 12th national parliament elections, out of 42,025, are at risk of violence, according to sources at the Election Commission.
Around 93% of the total ballot papers will be sent to polling centres on the morning of the election. Deputy Secretary Atiyar Rahman from the EC Election Management section has issued instructions to all returning officers to implement this decision.
Additional Secretary of the EC Secretariat Ashok Kumar Debnath on Friday told Dhaka Tribune that ballot papers would be distributed to 39,061 (92.95% or 93%) polling stations Sunday morning, with the remaining 7% (2,964 centres) receiving their ballots on Saturday. The campaign officially concluded at 8am on Friday and voters are now awaiting the voting day.
Polling is scheduled for 299 constituencies from 8am to 4pm on Sunday. However, the EC has decided to postpone polling in the Naogaon-2 constituency due to the unfortunate death of a candidate.
The Commission also refuted misinformation spreading online, saying that reports claiming the cancellation of Gaibandha-5 polling were entirely false. Officials urged the public to remain vigilant against fabricated news that causes confusion.
Last year, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal suspended the by-elections to the Gaibandha-5 constituency hours after voting started, citing it being "out of control." Subsequently, a probe committee found various irregularities.
In preparation for the voting day, the EC plans to deploy 1.7 million personnel. This includes 900,000 government employees collecting voting information and 800,000 law enforcement personnel maintaining law and order.
Despite security measures, reports have emerged of miscreants setting fire to five polling stations in Feni and Rajshahi, according to media sources. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun has announced a reward ranging from Tk20,000 to Tk100,000 for providing specific information about saboteurs anywhere in the country, ensuring the confidentiality of informers.