Ballot papers and essential polling materials will be transported by military helicopters to 11 inaccessible polling centres in remote areas of Bandarban for the 13th National Parliamentary Election.
The Election Commission said a total of 12,400 voters are registered at the 11 centres, including 6,022 women and 6,378 men, according to the final voter list.
The Bandarban District Election Office said the schedule for helicopter-assisted transport, locally known as helisort, has been finalised following consultations with the relevant authorities.
Under the plan, all election officials, ballot boxes and ballot papers will be delivered to the centres by 11 February, one day ahead of polling.
The centres requiring aerial transport are located across four upazilas.
In Thanchi upazila, the centres are Dolian Para Government Primary School, Remakri Bazar Government Primary School, Bor Modok Government Primary School and Chhotomodok Bazar Government Primary School in Remakri union, and Grouping Para Government Primary School, Chai Thoai Hla Karbari Para Private Primary School and Jinna Para Private Primary School in Tindu union.
In Ruma upazila, the centres are Pakniar Para Government Primary School and Chinglok Para Government Primary School in Remakri Prangsa union.
In Alikadam upazila, Komchang Yungcha Mawrum Para Government Primary School in Kurukpata union has been listed for helicopter support.
In Rowangchhari upazila, Roninpara Government Primary School in Sadar union will also receive ballot materials by helicopter.
Officials assigned to the centres have already been briefed on the helicopter logistics.
Reh Hla Moung, a resident of Thanchi, said helicopter support has been required for these centres since the 1991 general election, adding that despite development over the past three decades, no road communication network has yet been established for the 11 centres.
