EC plans phased local polls from October, to seek govt's approval
Union parishad and municipality elections likely to be held first, while the commission prepares conduct rules and boundary delimitation.
Highlights:
- EC plans to begin phased local govt elections from October
- Union parishad and municipality polls likely to be held first
- Govt to be approached for final approval
- EC preparing conduct rules and boundary delimitation
The Election Commission is preparing to hold local government elections in phases from October and will soon place a proposal before the government for its approval, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said today (6 July).
Speaking at a programme organised by the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) at the EC Secretariat, Masud said the commission plans to begin the local polls with union parishad and municipality elections, as city corporations are currently being run by government-appointed administrators.
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"We are preparing to hold local government elections in phases from October. We will discuss the matter with the government and take the necessary decision," he added.
At the event, Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah stated that the commission is working to organise local government elections in a free, fair, and acceptable manner, just like the national election.
He also informed that the EC will soon send a letter to the government regarding the finalisation of the electoral code of conduct for local government polls and the redrawing of constituencies.
Sanuallah also described conducting credible elections as one of the commission's biggest challenges and sought cooperation from the media in ensuring a transparent electoral process.
The programme was attended by the other election commissioners, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, senior officials of the commission, and RFED leaders.
