Ballot counting for the 13th parliamentary election is expected to be prolonged this time, with unofficial results likely to be delayed until the following morning. In previous elections, unofficial results were typically announced between 3:00am and 4:00am, with the 2008 election results being disclosed at 6:00am the next day.
The anticipated delay in counting results is due to the necessity of tallying two types of ballot papers (regular white paper and a pink one for the referendum), a larger number of candidates and voters, and the inclusion of postal ballots, according to Election Commission officials familiar with the process as reported by The Daily Star.
Unlike previous elections where one polling booth served around 500 men and 400 women, this time, the ratio has increased to one booth for every 600 men and 500 women, as explained by Ruhul Amin Mollik, EC director for public relations. While this adjustment aims to save costs, the consolidation of ballot counting for two papers will extend the time required.
Mollik suggested that the process might take one and a half times longer than usual. Meanwhile, Mohammad Aslam Molla, Kishoreganj returning officer (RO) and deputy commissioner, initially scheduled a meeting for contesting candidates and their agents on February 13 at 10:00am for the results announcement but later revised the circular to request their presence upon the availability of unofficial results.
Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed from the Election Commission expressed concerns over potential delays in the ballot counting process. With an average of 3,000 voters per polling center, the final tabulation at the returning officer’s office could face additional delays, especially in cases where voters from multiple areas cast their ballots together.
The unpredictable nature of the process makes it challenging to estimate the exact duration needed for counting. A total of 2,017 candidates are competing across 300 constituencies for the February 12 polls, with a registered voter count of 127.7 million.
Ahead of the elections, the EC expanded the number of polling centers and booths to accommodate the voting process efficiently. The addition of 18 polling centers and 2,743 polling booths brings the total figures to 2,779 and 247,482, respectively.
