DHAKA, July 01 (V7N)– The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has introduced new polls guidelines titled "Polling Centre Establishment and Management Guidelines 2025," which grant its own officials the sole authority for setting up polling centers for the upcoming national election. This significant change, outlined in a gazette notification issued on Thursday (June 26, 2025), aims to ensure a free and fair electoral process.

Under the new guideline, the responsibility of establishing polling centers, a task previously handled by committees at the upazila and district levels, is now exclusively entrusted to the EC's field-level officials. The notification emphasizes the critical importance of locating polling centers in "the best places for conducting a free, fair national election," stating that the success of a fair election largely hinges on selecting appropriate spots. These locations must allow people to cast their votes freely, uninfluenced by any individual, community, or political party.

The guideline reaffirms that, as per the rules of Article Eight of the Representation of the People Order 1972, the Election Commission holds the sole authority to publish the gazette of the final list of polling centers alongside the election schedule. The EC has instructed its field-level officials to prepare primary lists of suitable polling centers based on these guidelines, which will then be published as proposed centers. The Election Commission will finalize this list after thoroughly considering any potential objections, claims, and recommendations before officially publishing the gazette on polling centers.

Furthermore, the guidelines specify that, on average, one polling center should be designated for every 3,000 voters. Within these centers, one room should be allocated for every 500 male voters and 400 female voters to ensure efficient and segregated voting.

The "Polling Centre Establishment and Management Guidelines 2025" were officially approved on May 21 by the fifth Election Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin. "We have scrapped the committee system," Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Mohammad Salaullah told journalists after the meeting where the guidelines were approved. This move highlights the EC's commitment to consolidating its control over the polling process and minimizing external influences on center selection. The next national election is expected to be held in the early part of next year, possibly in April 2026, as indicated by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.

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