DHAKA, Sept 18: Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) has already received 70% of locally-procured election materials and expects the remaining supplies by the end of September, senior secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed on Thursday.
“There is no reason for concern about supply lines or shortages,” Ahmed told reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban. “We will receive all necessary items within the given time.”
Out of ten types of election materials, two — stamp pads and indelible ink pens — are being supplied by the UNDP and are due by October 15. The remaining eight, including locks for ballot boxes, seals, glue, and bags, are sourced locally.
The EC is also preparing for dialogues with political stakeholders later this month, with invitations and schedules to be finalized in the next commission meeting.
On new party registrations, Ahmed said the commission will make a final decision on 22 shortlisted political parties early next week ahead of the February 2026 general election.
Meanwhile, the commission is awaiting court rulings on 14 writ petitions challenging the recent delimitation of 46 constituencies across 16 districts. The new boundaries raised the number of constituencies in Gazipur from five to six while reducing Bagerhat’s seats from four to three.
Despite protests in several areas, the EC reiterated it will abide by the judiciary’s final decision.