In a massive logistical undertaking, the Election Commission (EC) has launched an unprecedented training program to prepare more than 1.05 million officials for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Elections.
This critical initiative, a cornerstone of the EC’s electoral roadmap, is designed to ensure the vote is free, fair, and transparent.
The training, which began recently, is a cascading process that will continue until just days before the nation goes to polls. It aims to equip every official—from senior administrators to the polling officers at each station—with the knowledge and confidence to manage the electoral process flawlessly.
Building an Army of Trainers
The program commenced on August 29-30 with a “training of core trainers” session, where 80 senior EC Secretariat officials were groomed as lead instructors. This core group will soon expand to approximately 3,500 trainers, who will then fan out across the country under the guidance of the EC’s Electoral Training Institute (ETI) to educate the massive force of election staff.
A Curriculum for Confidence
Officials will be trained on 23 distinct modules covering electoral laws, codes of conduct, and precise technical procedures. The most intensive training is reserved for the over one million presiding officers, assistant presiding officers, and polling officers who are the frontline guardians of the vote.
They will receive detailed, hands-on instruction on managing polling materials, conducting the entire voting process, and overseeing the critical counting and consolidation of ballots. The training also prepares them to handle any potential challenges that may arise at their stations.
Electoral Training Institute (ETI) Director General SM Asaduzzaman highlighted the unique nature of this election. “Learning from the past three elections, our goal is to engage as many credible and impartial personnel as possible,” he said.
A key new feature includes motivational sessions to empower presiding officers. “We want them to see themselves as the ‘Chief Election Commissioner of their respective polling centers,’” Asaduzzaman explained, “armed with the authority and integrity to act decisively.” Past electoral challenges will be used as case studies to prepare them for real-world scenarios.
Preparing Administrators and Enforcers
The EC’s comprehensive plan extends beyond polling staff. From September to November, “training of trainers” programs will be held for 3,600 officials from various administrative departments.
In October, the EC will brief top field administration and law enforcement authorities, including divisional commissioners, DIGs, deputy commissioners, and police superintendents. Once the election schedule is announced, executive magistrates will receive online briefings on enforcing the electoral code of conduct.
Furthermore, Electoral Inquiry Committees will be trained in December, and judicial magistrates will undergo specialized sessions just days before polling. These magistrates will be deployed to oversee law and order from two days before the election until two days after.
Calling the process “long but essential,” ETI DG Asaduzzaman emphasized the urgency of the mission. “Elections are a massive undertaking. If those involved are not properly trained, the process may falter. Our objective is to ensure that every official performs their duty lawfully, neutrally, and with integrity—leaving no room for deviation.”
