Authorities have begun transporting election materials by helicopters to 20 remote polling centres in Rangamati district ahead of the national election.

A total of 213 polling centres will be used in Rangamati, of which 20 are located in extremely remote hilly areas.

Rangamati Additional District Magistrate Nishat Sharmeen said the transportation of election materials and officials will continue in several phases until February 10.

Due to geographical challenges, some of these centres cannot be reached on foot while reaching others can take two to three days.

The helicopter operation started on Saturday morning, with election materials, presiding officers and polling staff being flown to the remote centres in phases.

Of the 20 centres, six are in Baghaichhari, two in Barkal, seven in Juraichhari and five in Bilaichhari upazilas. More than 30,000 voters are registered at these centres.

“As there is no normal road or waterway communication to these centres, the Election Commission has designated them as helicopter-supported polling centres,” Nishat Sharmeen said.

“With assistance from the Bangladesh Air Force, election materials including ballot boxes, along with polling officials and members of the security forces, are being transported by helicopter,” she added.

According to election office data, Rangamati district has a total of 509,267 voters in 10 upazilas, two municipalities and 50 unions.

Of them, 263,410 are male voters, 245,855 are female voters and two are registered as hijra voters.

The administration said all necessary preparations have been completed to ensure a free, fair and credible election in the district.