The 13th National Parliamentary Election and Referendum are scheduled to take place tomorrow, Thursday. The Election Commission (EC) has announced that nearly eight lakh (800,000) officials will be deployed nationwide to ensure smooth and transparent voting.
According to the EC, a total of 69 Returning Officers and 598 Assistant Returning Officers will be assigned to supervise the electoral process across the country. The election will be conducted in 42,779 polling stations, reflecting the scale and complexity of the exercise.
The polling stations are categorised as follows: 21,273 general polling stations and 21,506 critical polling stations. Each polling station will have designated officials to manage the voting procedure efficiently.
To facilitate orderly conduct, Presiding Officers will be present at all 42,779 polling stations, supported by 247,482 Assistant Presiding Officers. Additionally, a total of 494,964 Polling Officers have been appointed to assist voters, manage queues, and handle ballot management.
In aggregate, the deployment comprises 785,225 election officials, highlighting the significant administrative effort involved in conducting a national election of this magnitude. The EC emphasised that the extensive manpower is essential to uphold the integrity, fairness, and transparency of the voting process.
The EC has also instructed all officers to familiarise themselves with electoral procedures, rules, and voter facilitation measures to ensure that no disruptions occur on polling day. Citizens are encouraged to cooperate with polling officials and follow the guidelines set forth to make the voting process smooth and efficient.
Summary of Election Officials Deployment:
| Category | Number of Officials/Stations |
|---|---|
| Returning Officers | 69 |
| Assistant Returning Officers | 598 |
| Total Polling Stations | 42,779 |
| – General Polling Stations | 21,273 |
| – Critical Polling Stations | 21,506 |
| Presiding Officers | 42,779 |
| Assistant Presiding Officers | 247,482 |
| Polling Officers | 494,964 |
| Total Officials Deployed | 785,225 |
The Election Commission has reiterated its commitment to a free, fair, and credible election, assuring voters that all necessary measures have been taken for a secure and transparent polling day. Officials and security personnel are expected to work round-the-clock to maintain order and promptly address any issues that may arise.
With nearly 800,000 officials on duty, this election is set to be one of the largest administrative undertakings in the nation’s recent history.
