EC publishes draft list for upcoming national election

The Election Commission (EC) has released the draft list of polling centres for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, setting the total number at 42,618.

The draft list will remain open for claims and objections until September 25, and the final list is expected to be published on October 20, said EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed during a press briefing at Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka’s Agargaon on Wednesday afternoon.

According to Ahmed, one polling centre has been allocated for approximately every 3,000 voters. In comparison, the previous 12th national election, held on January 7, 2024, had 42,150 centres.

In terms of booth allocation, the EC has designated a total of 2,44,046 voting booths across the country. Of these, 1,14,939 booths have been allocated for male voters, based on a ratio of 600 voters per room, and 1,29,107 booths for female voters, based on 500 voters per room.

The EC will address all claims and objections regarding the draft list by October 12, Ahmed confirmed.

Preparations are underway for the 13th general election, which is expected to take place in the first half of February 2026. The official election schedule is likely to be announced in early December this year.