The number of voters in 10 districts under Khulna division has increased by 780,000 from 13,446,587 to 14,227,569, according to the voter list finalised by the Election Commission for the 13th parliamentary election slated for February 12 next year.
In the 13th parliamentary election, a total of 5,133 polling centres will be set up in the 36 constituencies under Khulna division. In the 12th general election, there were 4,984 polling centres. However, the number of polling booths has decreased by 3,170. In the 13th national election, there will be 27,083 polling booths compared to 30,253 booths in the 12th general election.
Among the polling centres, police have identified 842 centres as highly risky. Along with the rise in voters, the division has also seen an increase of 58 transgender (hijra) voters, bringing the total number to 143. In the 12th parliamentary election, there were 85 hijra voters.
According to Election Commission sources, all data collection and verification related to the 13th parliamentary election have been completed. Information on voter numbers, polling centres, polling booths, and other related matters has been gathered and the list finalized.
The Election Commission also stated that in the 12th national election, each polling booth accommodated 500 male voters and 400 female voters. For the 13th national election, this number has been increased by 100 voters each, which is why the total number of polling booths has been reduced.
According to the Khulna Regional Election Office, for the 13th parliamentary election there are 7,118,542 male voters and 7,108,884 female voters. In the 12th national election, the number of male and female voters was 6,746,491 and 6,700,120 respectively.
Khulna Regional Election Officer Raju Ahmed said that voter lists, polling centers, and polling booths for all 10 districts of Khulna Division have been prepared for the upcoming parliamentary election. They are now awaiting gazette publication. “We have completed all preparations for the parliamentary election,” he said.
Khulna Range Additional DIG Sheikh Zainuddin said that there are 4,824 polling centres in 34 constituencies of Khulna Division. Among them, 763 centres have been identified as highly important, 1,723 as important, and 2,338 as general centers. The highly important centers include: 135 in Khulna, 186 in Bagerhat, 59 in Satkhira, 71 in Jashore, 33 in Jhenaidah, 54 in Magura, 42 in Narail, 99 in Kushtia, 57 in Chuadanga, and 27 in Meherpur.
To ensure a free and peaceful election, police training is underway. Training for 20 batches has already been completed, and the remaining 8 batches will be completed soon. Each batch runs for three days, with 500 police personnel trained per batch.
According to Khulna Metropolitan Police sources, there are 309 polling centers for the city’s two constituencies. Among them, 79 have been identified as highly risky and 128 as risky.
KMP Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Hasan said that police are on high alert regarding polling centers and the voting environment. Police personnel assigned to polling centers have been receiving training for several months, and training is still ongoing. Detailed instructions are being given on how to prevent disturbances and what actions to take if unrest occurs. “Such training arrangements did not exist before,” he added.
