The Election Commission on Sunday held an extensive meeting with senior representatives from more than 30 relevant ministries, divisions and authorities to discuss 22 key issues relating to the upcoming general election and referendum, both to be held on a single day in February 2026.
The two-hour meeting, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, took place from 3pm-5pm at the conference room of Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital.
Top officials, including secretaries, directors general and chairmen from major government bodies, attended the meeting.
These included the Cabinet Division, Bangladesh Bank, the Home Affairs Ministry, the Public Administration Ministry, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry, the Finance Division, the Law Ministry, the Information Ministry, the Secondary and Higher Education Division, the Power Division and the Armed Forces Division.
Among the 22 issues discussed were the repair and renovation of access roads and physical structures of polling stations and booths; preparation of panels of polling officers; uninterrupted electricity supply for polling activities; removal of existing campaign materials from electoral areas; preparation of action plans for collection and compilation of loan-default information; manpower, transport and logistical support; steps by local administration and local government bodies to ensure law and order; review of academic and public examination schedules; strategies to prevent the spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media using AI tools; and ensuring communal harmony and the security of minority communities.
Other issues included assistance in appointing election observers; arrangements for transporting electoral materials and polling officials in remote and hilly regions, including providing helicopters for the commission; measures to carry out election-related publicity, awareness and motivation through media; budget allocation and related financial activities; appointment of executive magistrates to enforce the electoral code of conduct; daily weather updates; formation of medical teams and health service arrangements; immediate fire and disaster management measures; restrictions on vehicular and water transport during the election period; support for postal voting and management of postal ballots; and balloting arrangements for people behind legal bars, including prisoners and detainees.
Earlier, on October 30, the commission held a similar meeting with senior officials from 31 ministries, divisions and agencies.
On Thursday, the EC held a second-phase meeting with law enforcement agencies, including the armed forces, as part of its efforts to finalize the deployment strategy for security personnel during the upcoming national election and referendum. The first such security meeting took place on October 20 to ensure a free, fair and participatory 13th parliamentary election.
Earlier, the Election Commission held dialogues with 47 registered political parties, including BNP, Jamaat and National Citizen Party (NCP) on November 13, 16, 17 and 19 last.
In late September 2025, the commission opened a series of electoral dialogues with different stakeholders amid talks with civil society representatives on September 28.
Later, the EC held separate dialogues with 47 registered political parties, including BNP, Jamaat and National Citizen Party (NCP), as well as the representatives of teachers, senior journalists from different media outlets, election experts and election observers.
The Election Commission will announce the schedule in the second week of December for holding the next general election and referendum on the July National Charter in a single day in early February 2026.
