Under the overall supervision of the election, 655 judicial magistrates are deployed in the field

In a significant step to ensure the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election is conducted freely, fairly, and peacefully, the Election Commission (EC) has appointed 655 judicial magistrates across Bangladesh. These magistrates have been entrusted with the responsibility of swiftly addressing election-related offences through summary trials.

According to a notification signed by Mohammad Didar Hossain, Deputy Secretary (Law) of the Election Commission Secretariat, the magistrates will serve in the capacity of first-class magistrates from 10 February to 14 February, covering a total of five days.

The deployment spans the two days preceding polling, the polling day itself, and the two subsequent days, ensuring continuous oversight during the critical phases of the election process.

Legal Authority and Responsibilities

The magistrates’ authority stems from Section 89A of the Representation of the People Order, 1972 (P.O. No. 155 of 1972), under which they were formally appointed on 5 February. Acting on advice from the Law and Justice Division and the Supreme Court, the judicial service officers have been granted powers of first-class magistrates.

Their primary role will be to address election offences, including:

Obstruction of voting

Occupation of polling centres

Creation of disorder or disruption

Other schedule-based election offences

These offences will be processed under Section 190(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, enabling immediate summary trials.

Key Directives for Magistrates

The EC notification also outlined detailed instructions for the magistrates’ conduct:

Reporting: Magistrates must report to their designated electoral areas on 10 February and submit a copy of their joining report to the EC Secretariat.

Summary Trials: Any election-related offences encountered during their tenure must be swiftly resolved through summary trials.

Reporting Results: Disposal statements must be submitted to the EC’s legal division within 72 hours of trial completion.

Staff Support: Each magistrate may be assisted by a bench assistant, stenographer, or office assistant, with necessary support provided by local district judges.

Logistical Support: District commissioners are responsible for providing transportation—including vehicles such as jeeps, minibuses, or speedboats—according to magistrates’ requirements.

Security Measures: Police commissioners, superintendents, and local officers are directed to deploy appropriate “striking forces” to ensure safety and smooth operation.

Deployment Across Constituencies

The 655 magistrates have been strategically allocated across the country’s 300 parliamentary constituencies, from Panchagarh-1 to Bandarban, with each constituency assigned one or more magistrates to maintain law and order during the election.

With this comprehensive deployment, the Election Commission aims to maintain strict electoral discipline, swiftly address violations, and facilitate a transparent and secure voting process across Bangladesh.