The Election Commission (EC) has introduced four digital methods to assist voters in identifying their polling centres and voter numbers for the upcoming 13th parliamentary election.
These measures aim to streamline the voting process by providing essential details through various accessible platforms.
Smart Election Management BD App
One of the primary tools launched is the “Smart Election Management BD” app, which allows voters to retrieve information from the comfort of their homes using their National Identity (NID) card number.
Md Ruhul Amin Mallick, the director of the EC’s Public Relations Department, explained that the application provides comprehensive details, including the name and number of the polling station, its exact location, photographs of the site, and the distance from the voter’s position via an integrated map.
To use this service, voters must navigate to the “13th National Parliamentary Election” section on the app’s dashboard and select the “Find Polling Centre” option. By inputting their NID number and date of birth, they can access their voter serial number and the specific address of their assigned centre.
The app also serves as a hub for broader electoral information, offering details on registered political parties, candidates’ affidavits, and real-time election results.
Hotline and SMS services
For those who may not have access to smartphones or the internet, the Commission has activated the hotline number “105.” This service is available to voters nationwide from 6:00 am to midnight daily.
By dialing 105 and pressing “9” callers can speak directly with an operator to obtain their voter and centre information after providing their NID number and date of birth.
Additionally, a dedicated SMS service has been established. Voters can send a text message by typing “PC” followed by a space and their NID number to 105. In response, they will receive a return message containing their specific voter number and polling centre details.
Official Election Commission website
The fourth method involves the official Election Commission website at ecs.gov.bd, which is accessible through any mobile or desktop browser. Once on the site, users can click on the “Polling Centre” menu to find two search options.
The first option allows voters to view a list of centres by selecting their specific electoral area, upazila, or thana. The second option enables a targeted search using the voter’s NID number and date of birth to retrieve their individual voter number and station details.
The website also features a Google Maps integration, allowing voters to see the exact location of their polling centre and find the best route to reach it.
