Local govt polls to begin with union parishad: EC Anwarul
The commissioner said, like the national parliamentary election, the code of conduct for the local government polls would contain some stricter provisions.
Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker today (6 September) said that the local government elections would begin with union parishad (UP) polls while a detailed election roadmap in this regard would be announced within this month.
He made the remarks while talking to journalists at his office at the Election Commission (EC) building in the city's Agargaon area here.
"We hope the local government polls will begin with the union parishad elections. Once the UP elections reach a certain stage, we will hold elections to city corporations, municipalities and other local government bodies, InShaAllah," the commissioner said.
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Asked about the schedule for the UP elections, Anwarul said, "You will see many developments and we will be able to provide many details specifically within this month. The process of preparing our roadmap is progressing swiftly."
He said the election schedule would be announced within one or two weeks.
The commissioner said educational institutions remain busy with annual, scholarship and test examinations in November and December.
As educational institutions are used as polling centres and teachers perform duties as presiding and polling officers, he said, the Election Commission is seriously considering fixing the election date either before or after the examination period.
"However, elections that have legal obligations will be given priority," he added.
Anwarul said the commission was taking bolder measures this time based on past experience.
"All polling centres will be brought under CCTV surveillance. Drones will be used to facilitate the rapid movement of law enforcement agencies, while the number of body-worn cameras will also be increased," he said, adding that measures will also be taken to address the risk of misinformation.
The commissioner said, like the national parliamentary election, the code of conduct for the local government polls would contain some stricter provisions.
"Provisions have been kept to prevent VIPs from taking part in election campaigns by using government facilities and privileges. Besides, the use of non-perishable materials and posters will be prohibited," he said, adding, a gazette notification on the amended code of conduct will be issued within a few days.
Regarding the participation of MPO-listed teachers as candidates, the commissioner said if teachers contest elections, their colleagues often work in their favour, raising questions about neutrality at polling centres.
"Considering the need to keep educational institutions free from politics and maintain the neutrality of teachers, the Election Commission has sent an observation to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives recommending that they should not participate in elections," he said, adding, however, the final responsibility for turning this into law rests with the concerned ministry.
Regarding the by-election to Thakurgaon-1 constituency, the commissioner said the election must be completed within 90 days as required by law and the commission is prepared for it.
"The schedule for the by-election will be announced soon," he said.
