Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Tuesday said all preparations for the 13th national parliamentary election and the referendum have been completed.
Speaking at the inauguration of a media centre for foreign journalists and media professionals at a hotel in the capital, organised by the Information Department, he said voting will be held in 299 constituencies, as polling in one seat has been postponed due to the death of a candidate.
“Out of the 300 constituencies, voting will take place in 299. Ballot papers for all these seats have already been dispatched, and all election materials have reached their destinations,” he said.
Akhtar Ahmed added that ballot papers are being transferred in phases from the offices of returning officers to assistant returning officers and presiding officers, indicating that polling preparations are completed.
“After completing these preparations, we are now waiting for the auspicious moment. Voting will begin at 7:30am on February 12, marking what we hope will be a historic turning point and a positive new beginning,” he said.
Describing the simultaneous arrangement of the parliamentary election and the referendum as challenging, he said the process had not been easy or smooth, but the commission overcame difficulties step by step.
“Our goal is to deliver a free, fair, meaningful and festive election in an open and orderly environment,” he said.
The EC senior secretary also urged journalists to uphold responsible reporting.
“Please convey the truth and uphold it. We will provide information. Interpretation will be yours, but we must refrain from misinformation and disinformation. No matter how harsh or difficult the truth may be, we will speak it as it is,” he said.
Regarding election results, Akhtar Ahmed said results from postal ballot centres under returning officers may take slightly longer than those from other polling stations.
“This may take a bit more time due to the structural nature of postal ballots, which require additional scrutiny and multiple checks,” he said, adding that the process would not be prolonged under any circumstances.
