EC outlines 7 recommendations to empower presiding officers

The Election Commission (EC) has submitted a seven-point set of recommendations to the government aimed at empowering presiding officers, strengthening their role and enhancing security measures at polling centres ahead of the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections.

In addition to forwarding the proposals to the government, the EC has also sent copies to district and upazila election officers, seeking further suggestions to boost the capacity of electoral officials and ensure uninterrupted communication through mobile apps.

A letter signed by Md Monir Hossain, Deputy Secretary of the EC's election conducting wing, stated that under Section 9 (Kha) of the Representation of the People Order, 1972, returning officers appoint presiding officers and assistant presiding officers to conduct polling activities. 

The commission emphasised the urgent need to enhance the powers, responsibilities and security of presiding officers as the chief authority at polling centres to ensure free, fair and impartial elections.

The proposed recommendations include providing necessary transportation for election officials and voting equipment to polling centres, assigning an Ansar or police personnel as a bodyguard for each presiding officer from the time of receiving election materials to submission of results, appointing an office assistant for each presiding officer to support administrative tasks, ensuring continuous communication between presiding officers, returning officers, law enforcement agencies and the EC control room.