EC to hold half-day 'mock voting' on Nov 29 ahead of election, referendum

As many as 1,500 voters will participate in the practice session

The Election Commission (EC) is set to organise a half-day “mock voting” exercise on Nov 29 as part of the preparation for the upcoming parliamentary election and referendum.

Announcing the development on Tuesday, EC spokesman Ruhul Amin Mallik said the trial run would take place at the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Government High School in Dhaka, involving representatives from all categories of voters.

Around 1,500 participants are expected to take part in the exercise, which will run from 8am to 12pm.

He said the mock vote will use samples of the parliamentary election and the referendum ballot papers.

The EC official added that the commission would observe how long it takes to cast the two ballots, the challenges that may arise, and all other aspects related to the vote, including law and order, polling officers, the coordination cell, and domestic and foreign observers, along with all voting materials. This will also help assess overall preparedness.

The AMM Nasir Uddin-led commission was appointed on Nov 21, 2024. Although the five-member commission took the oath and assumed its duties on Nov 24, they have not had the opportunity to conduct any elections during its time in office.

The interim government announced that, for the first time, the parliamentary election and a referendum would be held concurrently.

The EC's Electoral Training Institute (ETI) is organising the mock voting exercise.

ETI Director Md Hasanuzzaman said they have made all necessary preparations for the mock voting. Officials mentioned that arrangements will be made according to the EC's directives.

A senior ETI officer said, "Everything required for hosting an election will be present as the dry run aims to create a model for the vote. Everything, including sample ballot papers, will be available, which will help identify the challenges of the actual election.

“It will include everything: what to do if votes arrive from senior citizens, persons with disabilities, the third gender, and postal ballots, and how counting will take place."