Bangladesh’s Election Commission is grappling with a logistical dilemma ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election: how to manage the legacy of polling officials who served during three previous elections widely criticized for irregularities under the Awami League government.
Officials acknowledge that it will be nearly impossible to exclude all polling officers (POs) who worked in the 10th, 11th, and 12th parliamentary elections. During the 11th election alone, approximately 450,000 POs were deployed most of them schoolteachers. Including the other two elections, the total number of officials involved could exceed half a million. Removing them entirely would risk a severe staffing shortage.
An official from the EC Secretariat indicated that while returning officers (ROs) and assistant returning officers (AROs) could be replaced, especially those still serving as district commissioners or upazila election officers, the situation is more complex for presiding and assistant presiding officers. In constituencies with a history of disputes particularly in district and divisional city areas some replacements may be possible.
In metropolitan areas like Dhaka and Chattogram, staffing is less of a concern. The 11th election saw around 250,000 assistant presiding officers deployed, and the EC expects the number of polling stations and booths to increase this time. Approximately 47,000 polling stations are projected, with the final booth count to be determined after the voter list is published.
As preparations intensify, the EC must balance public trust with operational feasibility, navigating a politically sensitive landscape while ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
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