The Election Commission (EC) has rolled out a fresh action plan (roadmap) to ensure the smooth conduct of the upcoming national election and referendum scheduled for February 12.

The Commission sent the action plan, along with the implementation progress of the previous action plan, to all divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and EC officials, asking them to take necessary measures accordingly.

According to the new roadmap, the collection of information regarding withdrawal of candidacies is scheduled for January 20, along with the formation of vigilance and observation teams, election monitoring teams, and the law-and-order maintenance cell. The lists of polling stations will be sent to BG Press for publication on January 22, and the order to print the ballot papers will be issued on January 25.

Presiding officers, assistant presiding officers, polling officers, and master trainers of polling agents will be trained on January 21 and 22.

On voting day (February 12), the EC will gather reports on the balloting situation and primary results, publishing the preliminary election results on its website as per the action plan. Two days after voting, the Commission will send the names and addresses of elected officials to BG Press for publication in gazettes. The gazettes will then be collected, and the final election results will be published on the website three days after voting.

On August 28 last year, the Election Commission unveiled its electoral action plan, setting timelines for completing all necessary measures to hold the 13th parliamentary election before Ramadan in February 2026.

The action plan outlines timeframes for various election preparations, including preparation of electoral roles, registration of new political parties, delimitation of parliamentary constituencies, updating guidelines for observers and journalists, printing of election manuals, directives, posters, and identity cards, conducting training activities, preparing translucent ballot boxes and other election materials, arranging the election budget, installing polling stations, addressing law-and-order issues, and announcing election results.