Special Correspondent //

The Election Commission (EC) has allowed 55,454 domestic observers to observe the referendum and 13th National Assembly elections to be held on February 12. These observers will perform their duties on behalf of 81 organizations registered with the EC. Of these, 7,997 will observe centrally and 47,457 locally based on parliamentary constituencies.

This information was given in a letter signed by EC Secretariat Director (Public Relations) and Information Officer Md. Ruhul Amin Mallick on Monday. It was informed that there are specific rules and restrictions on entering the polling stations on election day. Only voters of the concerned center and holders of identity cards approved by the Election Commission will be able to enter the center. There is a ‘Election Observation Policy 2025’ approved by the commission for local observers, which is mandatory to follow properly.

The EC has created a web portal (https://pr.ecs.gov.bd/) for the issuance of observer identity cards and vehicle stickers. All observers from 81 approved organizations will have to apply online in person on this portal by February 3. After the application is verified, observers will be able to download and print their cards and stickers online.

As per the instructions, the cards and stickers of central observers will be approved by the Public Relations Section of the Election Commission Secretariat, and the applications of local observers will be approved by the concerned Returning Officer or his/her designated officers. User IDs and passwords have already been created on the portal for the use of Returning Officers.

Observers will have to follow several strict instructions while performing their duties in the constituency and polling station. Observers will have to hang their identity cards in a visible position at all times while at the center.

During the observation, one must be aware of the right of voters to vote and special attention must be paid to ensuring that there is no disruption to the work of election officials. Observers cannot interfere in the election process in any way. They can only stay for a short time inside the polling station where there will be no disruption to the election process. However, under no circumstances can an observer enter the secret voting room.

According to the policy, every observer shall inform his/her organization if he/she encounters any conflict of interest in his/her work or if he/she observes any inappropriate behavior by another observer.

In order to assist in the election process in a democratic system, the constitution, election-related laws and rules and regulations must be fully followed. He/she must refrain from interfering in the work of election officials and touching or removing any election materials.

In addition, if an observer is identified as a member of a political party or a supporter of a candidate, he/she will be disqualified from performing his/her duties. It is mandatory to maintain complete impartiality and neutrality throughout the observation period. No sign, symbol or clothing bearing any identification for or against any candidate or party shall be worn or displayed.

No gift shall be accepted, attempted to be purchased or any advantage shall be encouraged from any political party, candidate, agent or any person or organization related to the election. At the same time, no comments shall be made in front of the media during the election that may disrupt or influence the election process.

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