Dhaka, Dec. 15 -- The Election Commission (EC) has directed the returning officers (ROs) to finalise the panels of polling officers in line with the fixed guidelines by December 18 next for the upcoming national election and the referendum on July Charter, scheduled to be held simultaneously on February 12, 2026.

If there is a shortage of polling officers in any upazila, the Election Commission has given permission to appoint polling officials from neighbouring or nearby upazilas within the same district, in accordance with the prescribed guidelines.

The commission, in a letter signed by EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain on Monday, issued the directives sent to all 69 returning officers - the Dhaka and Chattogram Divisional Com...