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Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said efforts will be made to hold local government elections to an even higher standard than the recently held national election.
The election schedule will take into account annual examinations, floods and religious festivals, including Durga Puja.
The CEC made the remarks at the Election Training Institute on Monday (August 24).
Asked about the Election Commission’s preparations for local government elections, Nasir Uddin said there were challenges in organising the polls, but the commission remained fully committed.
“We will try to hold a better election than the national election. It will not be worse,” he said, adding that the standard set by the commission during the national election would be maintained and, if possible, improved.
Election Date Not Yet Finalised
The CEC said it was not possible to announce the dates for local government elections yet, as several issues had to be considered before fixing the schedule. Amendments to some laws and regulations were also underway.
He said the Election Commission had prepared draft amendments and sent them to the ministry for vetting. Once the process is completed, the commission will have to fulfil procurement requirements and other legal obligations before organising the elections.
The commission will make decisions on the elections in consultation with the government. Coordination with the government will also be necessary as the police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and other law enforcement agencies will be required to provide support during the polls.
Commission Alert to Violence
Nasir Uddin said the commission was aware that local government elections tend to see somewhat more violence than national elections.
“We all know that violence is slightly higher in local government elections than in national elections,” he said, adding that the commission would make every effort to mobilise law enforcement agencies accordingly.
Meeting with IGP on Police Preparedness
The commission has also begun discussions on the preparedness of law enforcement agencies ahead of the local elections.
The CEC said he had held a meeting with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to discuss the overall law-and-order situation across the country and the number of police personnel that could be deployed during the elections.
The commission has also requested that the police’s existing monitoring system be used to monitor the situation at the field level during the elections.
Durga Puja, Floods and Exams to Be Considered
The CEC said several factors, including Durga Puja, the monsoon season, possible flooding and the annual examination schedule, would be considered when setting the election dates.
He said schoolteachers are required to serve as presiding and polling officers during elections, making the annual examination schedule at educational institutions an important factor in determining the polling dates.
However, the CEC assured that the local government elections would not be delayed for too long.
Thakurgaon By-Election Within 90 Days
Regarding the by-election to the vacant Thakurgaon parliamentary seat, Nasir Uddin said the election must be held within 90 days under the law and that the commission was working accordingly.
“We have to hold the Thakurgaon by-election within 90 days. We are working accordingly,” he said.
