EC begins dispatch of ballot papers to districts

The Election Commission (EC) has started dispatching ballot papers bearing candidates’ names and symbols to the offices of returning officers in districts for the 13th national parliamentary election.

EC Deputy Secretary Rashedul Islam told Views Bangladesh on Monday (February 2) that ballot papers were sent from Dhaka to 13 districts on Sunday, while another eight districts received ballot papers on Monday.

The districts that received ballot papers on Sunday are Meherpur, Kushtia, Chuadanga, Jhenaidah, Bagerhat, Dinajpur, Panchagarh, Lalmonirhat, Lakshmipur, Bandarban, Khagrachhari and Rangamati.

On Monday, ballot papers were sent to Patuakhali, Barishal, Barguna, Pirojpur, Habiganj, Chapainawabganj, Munshiganj and Gazipur.

Rashedul Islam said ballot papers for all constituencies in a district are being dispatched sequentially after completion of printing.

“Ballot papers and other election materials are being transported from Dhaka in phases under strict security,” he said, adding that the materials will be stored at returning officers’ offices and delivered to polling centres a day before voting.

He also noted that ballots for referendums have already been sent to the respective districts.

According to EC sources, a total of 2,017 candidates are contesting the election across 300 constituencies in all 64 districts.