The number of voters in the 13th parliamentary election is going to increase to about 12 crore 75 lakh. As a result, the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) is going to increase the number of polling stations to about 45,000. There are 42,148 polling stations in the 12th parliamentary election, but this time it may increase to 2,786.

According to EC sources, a coordination meeting will be convened soon to increase the polling stations as a result of the inclusion of new voters. Decisions related to polling stations, management and law and order can be taken in the meeting.

According to the EC, many educational institutions used as polling stations do not have boundary walls or have dilapidated doors and windows. The Ministry of Education and Local Government, Directorate of Education Engineering and LGED have been instructed to repair these centers.

If the number of polling stations is increased, the number of police personnel will also be increased. Around seven lakh members of Ansar, BGB, police, RAB and Coast Guard were deployed in the 12th parliamentary election. This number could increase in future.

The allocation for members of the law enforcement agencies was fixed at Tk 400 to Tk 1,820 per person. With the increase in the centre, the election expenditure will also increase, the EC said.

Sun News/SA