Ahead of the 13th Parliamentary Elections, the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat is preparing to procure and print necessary documents and materials within the four months leading up to the elections.
On Tuesday (15 April), following a preparatory meeting at the EC's headquarters in Dhaka, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed shared updates with the media.
The meeting focused on several aspects of the election process, including how much paper will be required, the potential budget, and how long it will take to complete the procurement and printing tasks.
Akhtar Ahmed stated that the EC is taking steps to ensure the election preparations stay on track. They discussed the timeline for paper procurement and printing, which is expected to take about three to four months. The planning will follow a backward calculation based on the final decision regarding the election date or schedule.
The Secretary also noted that the meeting addressed the estimated amount of paper needed, the budget for the materials, and the disposal of old election documents that may have lost quality over time. A committee has been set up to inspect and dispose of outdated materials, following the proper procedures. The discussion aimed to ensure that the necessary materials are procured and ready within the next four months.
Officials from the Election Commission highlighted the need to print a variety of materials for the elections, including 21 types of forms, 17 types of packets, 5 types of identity cards, the code of conduct, symbol posters, election management manuals, training manuals, and instructions. The meeting also emphasized the importance of printing and storing these materials by September if the election is to be held in December.
