EC preparing full roadmap for local govt polls

The Election Commission (EC) is working with a goal to complete local government polls across the country within the next one year, placing the highest priority on meeting the timeline.

"Preparations for holding local government elections have already begun, although final preparations are yet to be completed," Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker told BSS in an interview recently.

He said before arranging the elections, the EC is preparing a comprehensive roadmap considering amendments to necessary laws, rules and policies, budget allocations, administrative readiness, and seasonal realities.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at the Deputy Commissioners' Conference on 5 May that efforts would be made to complete all local-level elections within a year.

Earlier, during the first session of the 13th National Parliament, the local government minister said that based on past experience, completing elections for all levels of local government in the country generally takes between 10 months and one year.

He noted that local government elections are usually held in phases nationwide, and completing elections for all levels – including union parishads, municipalities, upazila parishads, and city corporations – requires a long period of time.

In the interview, Anwarul Islam said, "Our top priority right now is local government elections. We are preparing to hold these elections. Preparations are not fully completed yet, but our target is to finish all elections in phases within one year."

Asked when the local government elections might begin and which elections would take place in which phase, he said the EC is not yet able to provide a specific timeline.

According to him, the EC is formulating an integrated work plan, and only after finalising it, they will be able to provide details about schedules, phases, and probable dates.

He said EC's target is to complete the elections within one year as polls will be held in phases.

Asked whether the process would begin with city corporation elections, he said it has not yet been decided which elections would be held first and which later. The Commission will decide after considering all relevant aspects.

The election commissioner also said that the EC is currently reviewing existing laws, regulations, and policies related to local government elections.

The commission believes some legal reforms are necessary to make the election system more effective and acceptable, he said.

"We will have to amend laws and regulations for these elections. Changes to rules and policies are also necessary. These will take time," he said.

Regarding the possible timeline for amending laws and regulations, he said, "It may take around three to four months."

Meanwhile, he added that the national budget in June, the upcoming monsoon season, and the preparedness of field administration are also important considerations in the EC's planning.

"We are now preparing an overall roadmap for local government elections, considering everything. Once it is finalised, we will be able to say which election will be held when, on what date, and in which phase," said Anwarul Islam.

He expressed the hope that local government elections would be credible, free, and fair as the national elections.

"There is no scope to go below the standard of the national election. We want good elections in the future as well and want to maintain public confidence," he said.

Anwarul Islam added, "Local government elections will be held in a free, fair, and neutral manner. This time, there will be no election symbols and no political identity. I believe that even if there is a party-led government, the government will play a neutral role."

He also said the Election Commission is giving utmost importance on preserving the positive image of Bangladesh's election system.

"We cannot allow the reputation our country is earning globally to be damaged. Political parties want good elections, the government also wants good elections, and the Election Commission will try to apply every possible method to ensure quality elections," he added.