Published : 01 Dec 2025, 06:00 AM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 02:49 PM
The Election Commission (EC) has decided to add two secret rooms to each polling station, rather than increasing the total number of booths, drawing on the experience of the national election and referendum voting exercise.
Additionally, since the schedule was announced, field administration and judicial officers have been directed to coordinate closely with the EC.
The meeting, led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, was attended by ministry secretaries, department heads, other relevant officials, and four election commissioners.
The national elections and the referendum will be held on the same day in the first half of February 2026. The schedule is likely to be announced in the second week of December.
Ahead of polls, the meeting was held for recruitment planning, coordination, and guidance.
EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said, “Our main responsibility will be more intensive after the announcement of the schedule.”
He noted that adding the rooms per polling station, rather than increasing the number of stations, may raise the budget.
He said with the 2026 elections approaching, key issues, including the referendum, parliamentary elections, and expatriate voting, have been prioritised and must be properly addressed.
“There has to be coordination between words and deeds.
“Coordination and cooperation between the Election Commission, field administration, and the judiciary is very important.”
The meeting also asked the ministries to appoint focal point officers to coordinate with the EC.
Akhtar said, “We have requested the concerned ministries to provide a contact point so that we can immediately communicate on an urgent basis if we need to.”
INCREASED ALLOWANCES, ACCEPTING HOSPITALITY PROHIBITED
The EC has cautioned polling officials against accepting any hospitality from local influential figures.
Akhtar said, “Those who perform election duties are seen accepting hospitality from local influential people at different times.
“This has been reported repeatedly, and this time, it should not happen under any circumstances.”
To support officials, the commission is considering higher allowances and additional financial benefits for election duties, he added.
Akhtar also clarified the roles and authority of returning and presiding officers.
EMPHASISED ISSUES
The meeting also stressed raising awareness to prevent artificial intelligence (AI) misuse and ensure adherence to the code of conduct.
The EC secretary said the five priority areas are publicity of the referendum, registration of expatriate voters, compliance with the code of conduct, preventing AI misuse, and voter awareness.
The home ministry will play a key role in coordinating law and order, he added, noting it as the primary ministry responsible for security.
