Photo:BSS

CHATTOGRAM, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS)- Preparations have been completed almost to 
hold the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and Referendum 
scheduled to be held on February 12 in 16 constituencies of the district in a 
free, fair and impartial manner. 
 
Officials at the Chattogram Regional Election Commission here said that they 
will able to accomplish all polls related preparations as per directives of 
the Election Commission before formal beginning of voting on Thursday 
morning. 
 
A total of 115 magistrates have been deployed to ensure a peaceful, credible, 
and festive atmosphere for the upcoming polls. 
 
The distribution of electoral materials will begin at 10 am tomorrow 
(Wednesday) from Chattogram district stadium to the respective presiding 
officers based on center data.
 
Election Commission (EC) officials have confirmed that they have received all 
necessary election materials and have conducted training programmes for 
43,725 polling officials from government, semi-government, and autonomous 
institutions as well as recognized educational institutions. 
 
Chattogram District Senior Election Officer Md. Bashir Ahmed informed BSS 
that the polling materials like ballot papers, ink, packaging staff, seals 
and other accessories will be delivered to the 1,965 polling stations from 10 
am tomorrow.
 
Bashir Ahmed stated that the EC has taken control of the Ctg district stadium 
area since Saturday for election preparation purposes as well as announcement 
of results. 
 
He also mentioned that separate forces from the Army, RAB, BGB, and police 
have already been deployed in all strategic points and will be deployed at 
polling centers to maintain security during the election. 
 
Deputy Commissioner and District Returning Officer (RO) Mohammad Zahidul 
Islam Meah mentioned that they are aware of the time constraints and have 
made arrangements to conduct the polls according to the people's 
expectations. 
 
The officials involved in the electoral process are working tirelessly under 
the supervision of the EC Secretariat to ensure a fair and credible election, 
he added.
 
A total of 115 executive magistrates and sufficient judicial magistrates will 
be present to ensure a peaceful election process. Additionally, in key 
polling centers, there will be 16 Ansars and police officers on duty equipped 
with body cameras.
 
The Returning Officer expressed hope that voters will feel safe to come to 
the polling centers, cast their votes for their preferred candidates, and 
return home without any concerns.
 
Divisional Commissioner Dr. Mohammed Ziauddin stated that the overall 
atmosphere for the polls is excellent and satisfactory so far, with no major 
allegations of electoral rule violations.
 
He expressed confidence that there would be no untoward incidents during the 
pre and post-election period due to the improved law and order situation in 
the port city, thanks to anti-crime efforts and the recovery of illegal arms 
and ammunition by law enforcement agencies.
 
The local Election Commission office reported that a total of 66,82,517 
people will be voting in the upcoming polls slated for February 12. This 
includes 34,83,877 male voters, 31,98,570 female voters, and 70 voters 
registered as third gender.
 
A total of 1,965 presiding officers, 12,595 assistant presiding officers, and 
29,165 polling officers will be on duty during the polls. There are 115 
candidates contesting the highly anticipated 13th national polls.
 
Despite the increase in the number of voters, the total number of polling 
stations has decreased by 58 across all constituencies. In the 12th 
parliamentary election, there were 6,576,925 voters in 16 constituencies with 
2,023 voting centres. For the upcoming election, 1,965 polling stations have 
been set up to cast votes.
 
The number of polling stations in each constituency in Chattogram are as 
follows: 106 in Chattogram-1 while 141 in Chattogram-2, 83 in Chattogram-3, 
124 in Chattogram-4, 142 in Chattogram-5, 95 in Chattogram-6, 92 in 
Chattogram-7, 179 in Chattogram-8, 121 in Chattogram-9, 139 in Chattogram-11, 
143 in Chattogram-12, 113 in Chattogram-13, 100 in Chattogram-14, 157 in 
Chattogram-15, and 112 in Chattogram-16. 
 
A total of 95,246 voters from 16 parliamentary constituencies, both within 
the country and abroad, have registered for postal votes.

Additionally, three categories of voters have registered within the country: 
officials and employees engaged in election duties, government employees 
working outside their own areas, and voters in legal custody (prison).