Polls results unlikely before next morning

Ballot counting for the 13th parliamentary election may take longer than usual, with the unofficial results expected not before the following morning.

In the last three elections, the unofficial poll results were announced between 3:00am and 4:00am. In the 2008 election, it came at 6:00am the following day.

The delay this time stems from the need to count two sets of ballot papers (the regular white paper and a pink one for the referendum), a higher number of candidates and voters, and the inclusion of postal ballots, The Daily Star has learned from Election Commission officials involved with the proceedings.

In the previous elections, one polling booth was set up for every 500 men and 400 women, said Ruhul Amin Mollik, EC director for public relations. This time, one booth has been designated for every 600 men and 500 women.

“It saves money but reduces the number of booths. Since the same person will have to count two ballots, it will take more time,” he said.

Asked how much longer it might take, Mollik said the process could take one and a half times longer than usual.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Aslam Molla, Kishoreganj returning officer (RO) and deputy commissioner, through a circular on February 5 requested the contesting candidates and their agents for six constituencies be present at 10:00am on February 13 for the announcement of election results.

Later that day, he issued a revised circular asking candidates and agents to be present at his office as soon as the unofficial results are available, without mentioning any specific time.

Election Commission’s Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed had earlier flagged the issue of delays in ballot counting.

On average, one polling centre will serve around 3,000 voters.

Even after the counting is completed at the centre level, the final tabulation at the returning officer’s office could take longer.

“In some centres, voters from five or six areas will cast ballots together. If a returning officer oversees multiple constituencies, delays may increase further,” Akhtar said.

Asked how much time the process might take, he said: “It depends on how many ballots are returned. Predicting in advance is very difficult.”

A total of 2,017 candidates are contesting across 300 constituencies for the February 12 polls. The number of registered voters stands at 127.7 million.

On January 28, the EC added 18 polling centres, raising the total to 2,779. It also increased the number of polling booths by 2,743, bringing the figure to 247,482.