Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin is set to announce the formal schedule today for the upcoming 13th parliamentary election and a concurrent national referendum.
"The CEC will outline the roadmap for the polls in a televised address to the nation at 6:00pm," Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told reporters after a meeting of the Election Commissioners on Wednesday. The CEC's speech has been recorded by state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV).
Responding to a journalist's query on the Appellate Division's verdict on retaining four constituencies in Bagerhat and five in Gazipur as before, the EC official said, "The EC will decide on the issue after receiving the court order."
"The schedule will be announced covering all 300 constituencies," he said, adding that any necessary amendments would be made later, if required.
Earlier, the Election Commissioners, led by the CEC, paid a visit to the President on Wednesday noon.
Mr Ahmed said President Mohammed Shahabuddin expressed satisfaction over the preparations undertaken by the Election Commission ahead of the upcoming 13th parliamentary election and the national referendum, reports UNB.
"The President expressed satisfaction after we informed him in detail," the EC senior secretary added.
He also said they informed the President about the extension of balloting hours by one hour -- now set from 7:30am to 4:30pm. "When we informed him of the one-hour extension, the President termed the decision logical and expressed his satisfaction."
During the meeting, Mr Ahmed said, the President was apprised of various preparatory activities, including the updating of electoral rolls and the registration of new political parties.
"The President was also briefed on the Commission's plan to use two types of ballot papers -- one for the national election and another for the referendum -- to be held simultaneously on the same day," said the EC senior secretary.
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