In a decisive move to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful Thirteenth National Parliamentary Election, the Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has appointed 655 judicial magistrates nationwide to oversee and promptly adjudicate electoral offences.
The appointed magistrates will exercise first-class magistrate powers for a five-day period, commencing Tuesday, 10 February, and concluding Saturday, 14 February. This timeframe covers the two days preceding the election, the polling day itself, and the two subsequent days.
The appointment was formalised through a notification issued by Mohammad Didar Hossain, Deputy Secretary (Law) of the Election Commission Secretariat. According to the notification, the magistrates’ authority is derived from Section 89A of the Representation of the People Order, 1972 (P.O. No. 155 of 1972), and the appointments were made on 5 February 2026.
Following consultation with the Law and Justice Division and the Supreme Court, these judicial officers have been entrusted with powers to conduct summary trials under Section 190(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898. They will primarily handle electoral offences such as obstruction of voting, unlawful occupation of polling centres, disorderly conduct, and other scheduled violations.
Key Directives for Appointed Magistrates
The Election Commission has issued detailed instructions to the magistrates for effective execution of their duties:
| Directive | Details |
|---|---|
| Reporting | Magistrates must join their designated constituencies on 10 February (Tuesday morning). A copy of the joining report must be sent to the EC Secretariat’s Senior Secretary. |
| Trial Procedure | All electoral offences must be addressed promptly through summary trials. |
| Reporting Results | Outcomes or disposal statements must be submitted to the EC Secretariat’s Law Division within 72 hours. |
| Support Staff | Each magistrate may be assisted by a bench assistant, stenographer, or office assistant. District judges are requested to provide necessary support. |
| Transport | District Commissioners will provide vehicles such as jeeps, microbuses, or speedboats as required. |
| Security | Police Commissioners, Superintendents, or local officers are instructed to deploy necessary striking forces to ensure safety and smooth execution of duties. |
The 655 magistrates have been strategically allocated across the country’s 300 parliamentary constituencies, from Panchagarh-1 to Bandarban, with at least one magistrate assigned to each seat. This distribution is aimed at maintaining law and order, ensuring that electoral offences are swiftly addressed, and fostering public confidence in the electoral process.
The deployment reflects the Election Commission’s commitment to upholding transparency, legality, and public trust in Bangladesh’s democratic exercise, reinforcing the mechanisms for immediate legal recourse during the crucial election period.