Election Commission (EC) has revised its guidelines for local government elections, increasing the maximum number of voters per polling booth from 400 to 600.
This decision, implemented through an amendment to the policy for the establishment and management of polling centres, has been enacted despite objections raised by commission officials.
According to a notification signed by EC Senior Assistant Secretary Md Rashid Miah, previous regulations stipulated a polling centre for an average of 2,000 voters.
Generally, one polling booth was designated for 400 male voters and 300 to 350 female voters. In the case of by-elections for a single post, the provision allowed for 500 male and 400 female voters per booth.
Under the newly amended rules, while the average of 2,000 voters per centre remains unchanged, polling booths must now be arranged for 600 male and 500 female voters. These revised limits will also apply to by-elections for a single post.
Moreover, the policy now allows for the installation of multiple secret polling booths within a single room if required.
The standing rule of establishing at least one polling centre within the boundaries of every general ward remains, though additional centres can be set up based on practical needs.
However, EC officials have expressed deep concern over the potential impact of these changes.
They pointed out that in most local government elections, such as Union Parishad polls, voters are required to cast ballots for three separate positions – Chairman, General Member, and Reserved Female Member.
Additionally, voter turnout in local polls is typically higher than in parliamentary elections, often reaching between 80 and 90 per cent. Officials argue that if a single booth is assigned up to 600 voters, it will be difficult to complete the voting process within the scheduled time.
During a recent meeting between the Election Commission and its staff, Election Commissioner Abul Fazl Md Sanaullah advocated for the increase, drawing on his experience from the national parliamentary elections.
Despite opposition from officials who emphasised the unique realities of local government elections, Sanaullah remained firm in his position.
When approached for comment, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud told TIMES of Bangladesh that the primary motivation behind the increase was cost reduction.
“A similar system to the one used in the national parliamentary elections, where the number of voters per booth was increased, has now been adopted for local government elections,” he said.
