The Election Commission is preparing a series of changes to laws, rules and procedures ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
However, one of the EC proposals, recommending increase in the number of voters assigned to each polling booth by 50 per cent, has already triggered concern within the commission itself.
The proposal to increase the number of voters assigned to each polling booth from 400 at present to 600 has drawn objections from EC officials, who fear it could create long queues and make it difficult to complete voting within the scheduled time.
The proposal was placed by Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah during a recent commission meeting. Although officials raised concerns over the practical challenges, Sanaullah maintained his position, arguing that the move could help reduce election costs.
Later, he suggested extending polling hours by 30 minutes at both ends — starting at 7:30am instead of 8:00am and ending at 4:30pm instead of 4:00pm — to manage the increased voter load.
Several EC officials told TIMES of Bangladesh that the idea was based on the experience of the 13th parliamentary election, when the number of voters per polling booth was increased from 500 to 600.
However, they said local government elections present different challenges.
Unlike parliamentary elections, local polls involve voting for multiple positions. In union parishad elections, for example, voters cast separate ballots for the chairman, general members and reserved women members.
Officials said voter turnout in local elections is often higher than in parliamentary polls, making it more difficult to manage a larger number of voters at each booth.
Currently, local government election rules allow a maximum of 400 male voters per polling booth, while female booths generally accommodate between 300 and 350 voters.
Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Mashud said the proposal was mainly being considered to reduce election expenses.
“The issue of increasing the number of voters per polling booth is being considered mainly from the perspective of reducing costs,” he said.
He added that the matter would be discussed further before a final decision is made.
A wider reform package
Alongside changes to polling arrangements, the EC is working on broader reforms to local government election laws and regulations.
Since the upcoming local government elections will be held without party symbols, all candidates will contest as independents.
The EC is therefore considering removing the requirement for candidates to submit signatures from one per cent of voters to support their nomination.
The commission is also considering preventing fugitives from contesting elections and increasing nomination security deposits.
Another proposed change is to introduce a rule barring dual citizens from contesting local government elections, similar to the restriction already applicable to parliamentary polls.
Currently, dual citizenship is a disqualification for parliamentary elections but not for local government elections.
“This is a matter of government policy. If the government wants, it can introduce such changes,” said Commissioner Mashud.
The EC is also considering restrictions on employees of foreign-funded non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Under the proposed rule, individuals working for such organisations would not be eligible to contest elections unless at least one year has passed since leaving their jobs.
More transparency for candidates
The commission is discussing making candidate affidavits mandatory and more detailed for local government elections.
Under the proposal, candidates would have to disclose information about their assets, liabilities, educational qualifications and criminal cases.
Such disclosures are already mandatory for parliamentary elections, but local government candidates are not currently required to provide similar information.
The EC is also reviewing election expenditure limits and considering whether they need revision.
EC can recommend, not amend laws
Officials said the Election Commission does not have the authority to directly amend local government laws. Its role is limited to recommending necessary changes to the government.
The commission has already held discussions with relevant officials and instructed them to prepare a draft proposal.
“Although the Election Commission has the authority to formulate regulations for conducting local government elections, matters such as candidate eligibility and disqualification are linked to laws,” Mashud said.
“Necessary amendments in these areas have to be initiated mainly by the government. However, the Election Commission can provide its recommendations,” he added.
