Election Commission to install solar panels at field offices to save electricity

The Election Commission (EC) has taken an initiative to use solar power at its field-level offices to save electricity and tackle the energy crisis. As part of the move, the commission has given policy consent to install solar panels on the rooftops of upazila election offices.

EC officials disclosed the information on Wednesday (21 October). EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed has instructed the concerned branch to take the necessary steps to implement the initiative.

The directive says the Election Commission Secretariat agrees in principle to rooftop solar panels at upazila election offices. However, a no-objection certificate must be issued mentioning the ongoing project for the upward expansion of field offices.

In other words, where building expansion work is under way or planned, coordination with that project must be ensured before panels are installed, so the panels do not later obstruct construction.

Alongside energy saving, the EC Secretariat has also moved to speed up administrative work. Ahead of an upcoming coordination meeting, it has ordered an updated inventory of all equipment and materials at field offices.

Proposals for updating voter registration Form-2 must be kept ready by 31 October, the directive says.

At the same time, a complete list of equipment stocks at field offices — including which items are functional and which are not — must be prepared and submitted at the next coordination meeting.

Officials believe that once implemented, the solar initiative will cut electricity costs at upazila election offices and make it easier to keep essential work running during load-shedding.

From voter list updates to national identity registration, large numbers of people visit upazila election offices every day; uninterrupted power will help keep those services running.

Only after the concerned branch acts and no-objection certificates are issued will it be known when panel installation begins at field level.