Preparations are intensifying ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election, scheduled for 12 February. As part of the logistical arrangements, the Election Commission (EC) has commenced dispatching ballot papers, containing candidates’ names and symbols, to the offices of returning officers across the country. The EC confirmed this development on Monday (2 February) from its Secretariat in Agargaon, Dhaka.
According to EC officials, the first batch of ballot papers was sent on Sunday (1 February) to thirteen districts. These districts are listed in the table below:
| Serial No. | District |
|---|---|
| 1 | Meherpur |
| 2 | Kushtia |
| 3 | Chuadanga |
| 4 | Jhenaidah |
| 5 | Bagerhat |
| 6 | Moulvibazar |
| 7 | Dinajpur |
| 8 | Panchagarh |
| 9 | Lalmonirhat |
| 10 | Lakshmipur |
| 11 | Bandarban |
| 12 | Khagrachhari |
| 13 | Rangamati |
A second dispatch is currently underway on Monday to an additional eight districts, namely Habiganj, Chapainawabganj, Gazipur, Munshiganj, Barisal, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, and Barguna. The Commission has emphasised that all ballot papers and other election materials are being transported from Dhaka under stringent security measures.
Once received, these materials will be securely stored in the offices of the returning officers and will be delivered to each polling station on the day prior to voting.
For this election, which will also include referendums in certain areas, approximately 260 million ballot papers have been printed nationwide. The total cost of producing such a vast quantity of ballots is estimated at 4 billion taka. The electoral schedule specifies that polling will be conducted uninterrupted across the country on 12 February.
In addition, law enforcement personnel have already been deployed to ensure the safety and proper conduct of the voting process. The EC has stated that extensive coordination with district authorities and security forces is underway to guarantee a smooth and transparent election.
EC officials further stressed that the phased dispatch of ballot papers, combined with rigorous security and storage protocols, is aimed at ensuring both electoral integrity and public confidence. Observers have noted that the Commission’s logistical preparations reflect a high level of organisation and are critical to conducting the election efficiently and without incident.
With less than two weeks remaining until polling day, the nationwide election machinery is now in full operation, marking a decisive step towards the conduct of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election.