EC struggles to finalise polls preparations as key tasks remain unfinished

The Election Commission (EC) is still grappling with some unfinished preparations for the 13th parliamentary election and an accompanying referendum, even after announcing the poll schedule earlier this month, raising questions about its readiness.

The registration process for new political parties remains incomplete and the election manual has not been printed as of yet.

Besides, though more than 10 days have passed since the announcement, the commission is still struggling to issue a number of required circulars as revisions to the timetable continue, with officials expecting further changes in polls code of conduct.

Infograph: TBS

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin announced the schedule in a televised address to the nation on 11 December. However, on 18 December, the commission revised the gazette notification related to the schedule, amending the timeline for filing appeals and disposing of appeals against decisions taken by returning officers during nomination scrutiny.

Under the revised schedule, the time allowed for filing appeals has been reduced by two days, while the time for disposing of appeals has been extended by two days.

According to the original schedule, appeals against returning officers' decisions were to be filed between 5 and 11 January. This has now been shortened to 5-9 January.

Meanwhile, the appeal disposal period, originally set for 12-18 January, has been brought forward to 10-18 January.

Last Thursday, Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the code of conduct could be amended further if necessary, with provisions added or removed depending on the situation.

Although questions have been raised over unfinished preparations, an election commissioner and a former election official said they do not see any major cause for concern about the commission's overall readiness.

They said amendments to the code of conduct or minor legal adjustments during the election period were part of the normal process and could be made whenever required.

Jasmine Tuli, a former additional secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat, told TBS it was difficult to fully assess the commission's internal preparedness from outside.

"Small changes to the code of conduct or the Representation of the People Order can be made at any time, and that seems to be what they are doing," she said.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud told The Business Standard that the election manual was almost finalised and would be printed and distributed to field-level officials once it received final approval.

Speaking on constituency delimitation cases, he said "Some delimitation-related cases are pending, but that is part of the normal election process."

"Elections come with many challenges. Objections over nominations and constituency boundaries are not unusual, he added.

The current commission has changed the boundaries of 39 constituencies. A court has overturned a decision to reduce the number of seats in Bagerhat from four to three. 

Gazipur's five seats remain unchanged, while a decision to transfer Algi and Hamirdi unions of Bhanga upazila from Faridpur-4 to Faridpur-2 has also been scrapped.

Four cases relating to constituency boundaries in Cumilla, Panchagarh, Rangpur and Barguna are still awaiting hearings in the High Court.

Delays in party registration

One of the most significant unresolved issues is the registration of new political parties.

The EC has reviewed applications from seven parties, including Bangladesh Bekar Mukti Parishad, Gonotantrik Party, Jasad-Shahjahan Siraj, Jatiya Janata Party, Justice and Development Party and Janatar Dal.

However, no party has yet received final registration.

Last Thursday, the leader of one such party awaiting registration was seen waiting at the ground floor of the EC building in Agargaon.

"The schedule has been announced, but we still do not have final registration," he told TBS. "We are wandering the corridors of the commission, while this was the time our candidates were supposed to be collecting nomination papers."

Security concerns

Security has emerged as a key concern following the shooting of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, convener of Inqilab Mancha, who later died in Singapore while undergoing treatment.

Within 24 hours of the election schedule being announced, Hadi – a prospective candidate for Dhaka-8 – was shot, bringing candidate security sharply into focus.

Following the incident, the home affairs adviser announced special security measures for candidates and frontline activists of the July movement. On 15 December, the government issued a policy allowing politically "important" individuals and candidates to obtain firearms licences and appoint armed retainers.

Earlier, on 14 December, the EC held an emergency meeting with law enforcement agencies. The commission said some security measures need to be strengthened ahead of polling day.

These include setting up additional checkpoints to create deterrence, arresting armed criminals roaming freely, and intensifying drives against illegal firearms and ammunition.

However, on 17 December, EC Secretary Akhtar said there had been no prior discussion between the EC and the Ministry of Home Affairs about providing firearms to candidates.

"However, the home affairs adviser acted considering the security situation, and everyone agrees that security must take priority," he said.

Yesterday, CEC Nasir said he is confident that the overall law-and-order situation will further improve as the election approaches.

"As the polling day approaches, you will see the law and order situation improving further. There will be no problem. We are confident and we have not lost hope. We will move forward," he said.

The CEC made the remarks replying to a question from reporters while inspecting the overall situation of sending postal ballots abroad at the Bangladesh Post Office's Mail Processing and Logistic Service Centre in the capital's Tejgaon area.