Staff Reporter:
The Election Commission (EC) has issued new directives to strengthen the authority, security and operational control of presiding officers ahead of the 13th Parliamentary Election.
According to a letter signed by EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Manir Hossain and sent to field-level officials on Monday, presiding officers will have full authority over their respective polling stations.
To ensure their security, each officer will be assigned a dedicated Ansar or police bodyguard from the time they receive election materials until the results are submitted to the control room.
Under Section 9(1)(kha) of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 1972, returning officers are mandated to appoint a presiding officer, along with assistant presiding officers and polling officers, for each station.
The EC emphasised that empowering presiding officers is critical to ensuring free, fair and secure elections.
The commission outlined several key measures. These include providing appropriate transportation for presiding officers and their teams, including election materials and assigning a dedicated law enforcement bodyguard to accompany the presiding officer throughout the election process.
An office assistant will also be appointed to support administrative tasks.
The EC instructed that election materials and polling staff should, wherever possible, be dispatched to polling stations together.
It also stated that presiding officers will be responsible for arranging food for their staff.
The commission is considering strengthening the legal authority of presiding officers in line with Section 89(ka) of the RPO to better manage polling station operations.
Additionally, the EC has directed that continuous communication must be maintained between the presiding officer, returning officer, striking forces and the EC control room via a mobile app.
The letter further noted that the commission will seek feedback from field-level officials on ways to improve the effectiveness of presiding officers and enhance real-time coordination through the mobile app.
