EC issues directives to ensure secrecy of ballot papers

In a significant move to uphold electoral integrity, the Election Commission (EC) has issued a comprehensive circular outlining mandatory protocol for handling, verification, and security of election materials for the upcoming 13th National Parliament Election and referendum.

The directive, signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain, emphasized the absolute secrecy of ballot papers and the protection of security-coded seals.

According to the circular, officials are required to meticulously verify all election materials- including forms, packets, and envelopes-against the distribution list provided in the previously issued Circular-13.

 Any discrepancies or shortages in the supplies must be reported immediately to the senior district or district election officer to ensure timely corrective measures.

The EC has laid out rigorous steps for the management of ballot papers once they are received from the government security presses. 

Returning Officers are tasked with cross-checking the ballot papers against Form-5 to ensure that candidate names and symbols are accurate. 

These materials must be kept in secure storage until the very moment they are distributed to presiding officers, with the EC stressing that the confidentiality of the ballots must be maintained at every stage of the process.

A major component of the new directives involves the management of official and brass seals, which contain unique security code marks.

To prevent tampering or fraud, assistant returning officers must maintain a register recording which specific code-numbered seal is assigned to which polling center and a physical impression of each seal must also be preserved in the register for verification purposes.

Presiding officers are required to document which coded seal is used in which specific polling booth, noting the name of the Assistant Presiding Officer and keeping a sample impression in a sealed secure bag.