DHAKA, July 3, 2025 (BSS) – The Election Commission (EC) has released Polling Station Setup and Management Guidelines-2025 for Local Government Institution Elections, aiming to facilitate the effective administration in the polls.

 The EC published a circular signed by its Deputy Secretary Dewan Md. Sarwar Jahan, following the gazette publication of the guidelines on June 26.

It said Elections involving City Corporations, Zila Parishads, Upazila Parishads, Pourasavas, and Union Parishads are classified as highly significant and sensitive.

Selecting optimal locations for polling stations is essential to guarantee free, fair, and impartial elections.

Fair elections largely depend on determining the location of polling stations that are free from the influence of individuals, groups or parties and according to the overall facilities for voters to cast their votes.

The presence of voter-friendly infrastructure and accessibility also plays a major role in determining station placement.

The EC has formulated the following guidelines for setting up polling stations for all elections to local government institutions:

City Corporation: for the City Corporation elections, in accordance with Rule 7 of the Local Government (City Corporation) Election Rules, 2010, the Senior District Election Officer or the District Election Officer shall, within the time specified by the Election Commission, send a list of proposed polling stations to the EC through the concerned Regional Election Officer. 

In that list, the names of the specific areas whose voters will cast their votes at each polling station shall be clarified and mentioned.

The EC shall finalize the above list, subject to any necessary amendments or changes, and shall publish the final list in the Official Gazette before 15 days of the date of polling.

Zila Parishad: For the Zila Parishad elections, under sections 41 and 14(1) of the Zila Parishad Act, 2000 (Act No. 19 of 2005), the names of the proposed polling stations for each ward under the ward-wise list shall be sent by the Senior District Election Officer or the District Election Officer to the Commission in accordance with Rule 7 of the Zila Parishad Election Rules, 2016.

In that list, the names of the specific areas whose voters will cast their votes at each polling station must be clearly mentioned.

The Election Commission shall, if necessary, revise or amend the above-mentioned list and finalize it at least 15 days prior to the date of the election.

Upazila Parishad: For the purpose of Upazila Parishad elections, in accordance with Rule 10 of the Upazila Parishad Election Rules, 2013, a list of proposed polling stations for the election of Upazila Parishad Chairman and Vice Chairman shall be sent by the Senior District Election Officer or the District Election Officer to the EC through the concerned Regional Election Officer within the time specified by the Commission. 

In that list, the names of the specific areas whose voters will cast their votes at each polling station must be clearly mentioned.

The EC shall, if necessary, revise or amend the above-mentioned list and finalize it, and shall publish the final list in the official gazette at least 15 days prior to the date of the election.

 

Paurashava: For the Paurashava elections, in accordance with Rule 7 of the Local Government (Paurashava) Election Rules, 2010, the Senior District Election Officer or the District Election Officer shall, within the time specified by the Election Commission, send a list of proposed polling stations to the Election Commission through the concerned Regional Election Officer. 

In that list, the names of the specific areas whose voters will cast their votes at each polling station must be clearly mentioned.

The Election Commission shall, if necessary, revise or amend the above-mentioned list and finalize it, and shall publish the final list in the official gazette at least 25 days prior to the date of the election.

Union Parishad: For the Union Parishad elections, in accordance with Rule 7 of the Local Government (Union Parishad) Election Rules, 2010, the Senior District Election Officer or the District Election Officer shall prepare a list of the proposed polling stations within the time specified by the Election Commission. 

In that list, the names of the specific areas whose voters will cast their votes at each polling station must be clearly mentioned.

The Senior District Election Officer/District Election Officer shall, if necessary, revise or amend the above-mentioned list of polling stations and finalize it. 

A copy of the final list shall be published locally by posting it at least 25 days prior to the date of the election at his own office, the office of the Upazila Election Officer, the office of the Returning Officer, the notice board of the concerned Union Parishad office, and in important and public places within the relevant ward. 

At the same time, the finalized list shall be sent to the Election Commission for approval through the concerned Regional Election Officer.

In accordance with Rule 7 of the Local Government (City Corporation) Election Rules, 2010; Rule 7 of the Zila Parishad Election Rules, 2016; Rule 10 of the Upazila Parishad Election Rules, 2013; Rule 7 of the Local Government (Paurashava) Election Rules, 2010; and Rule 7 of the Local Government (Union Parishad) Election Rules, 2010, as well as following paragraph three (3) of this policy, the concerned Senior District Election Officer or District Election Officer shall take necessary steps to establish polling stations under the supervision of the Regional Election Officer.

The list of polling stations shall be prepared by the Senior District Election Officer or the District Election Officer through on-site visits. 

This list must be sent to the Election Commission Secretariat through the concerned Regional Election Officer before the polling takes place. 

The Regional Election Officer shall carry out necessary monitoring and ensure that these activities are properly conducted.

Establishment of Polling Stations and Booths Based on Number of Voters: On average, one polling station must be set up for every 2,000 voters. Generally, one polling booth should be assigned for every 400 male voters and for every 300 to 350 female voters.

In the case of by-elections where only one post is being contested, generally one polling booth should be set up for every 500 male voters and every 400 female voters.

For each general ward, at least one polling station must be established within the boundaries of the ward. However, based on practical necessity, more than one polling station may be set up.