The Election Commission has initially decided to install two voting booths in every polling room to ensure voter privacy as the national election and the referendum will be held simultaneously.
The decision was shared at a briefing on Sunday after an inter-ministerial meeting with 34 ministries and divisions held at the Election Building, according to EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.
He said the combined national election and referendum would be the largest electoral exercise in the country next year, adding that the Commission wants closer coordination between the field administration and law enforcement agencies throughout the process.
Akhtar Ahmed said allowances for officials on election duty have been increased so they do not rely on hospitality from local political figures.
He said nearly one hundred thousand expatriate voters have registered so far. Based on mock voting results, the Commission believes there is no need to increase the number of polling centres or rooms, and that adding more secret booths will be adequate.
He added that the overall law-and-order situation remains normal, though some isolated incidents may occur.
