No time extension for nomination submission

FE Team | Published: March 26, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

The Election Commission (EC) will not extend time to submit nomination papers for city corporation elections, reports UNB.
Rejecting the demand of pro-BNP professionals for the Dhaka and Chittagong city corporation elections, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad said Wednesday the time given by the Commission is enough.
"Our office will remain open on Friday and Saturday. We've also instructed to keep open all the scheduled banks during the period.
So, there'll be no problem in collecting and submitting nomination papers," he said.
Talking to reporters before leaving his office in the evening, the CEC also said, "We've given enough time at every step of the election schedule, including for the submission of nomination papers."
Another FE report adds: The Election Commission has sought an allocation of Tk 950 million beyond its budget to hold much-hyped elections to city corporations in Dhaka and Chittagong
Officials said the budget wing of the EC recently sent a letter to the senior secretary of the ministry of finance (MoF), seeking the allocation.
A ministry official said they had received a request letter from the EC for funds in the revised budget of the current fiscal year (FY) for holding the DCC and other polls.
"Some Tk 950 million will be needed for elections and other expenses in addition to funds sanctioned earlier," he added.
Shoto Nagorik Committee urged the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday to extend the deadline for submission of nomination papers for the city corporation polls.
The committee also called upon EC to ensure a favourable environment, so that candidates from the opposition parties can contest the polls without fear and intimidation.
The civil society group of pro-BNP professionals also urged EC to stop undesired arrest of opposition candidates vying for the city corporation polls.
A six-member delegation of the committee, led by former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University Dr Emajuddin Ahamed, met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed at EC office in the capital. They entered the office at 3:15 pm and left it at around 5:00 pm.
The committee members urged the CEC to consider their recommendations for extending the deadline for nomination paper submission for the upcoming Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) elections, slated for next month.
Dr Emajuddin Ahamed said: "We've informed the CEC of our suggestions. He took notes. His intention was positive. We hope he will consider the recommendations,"
"We will welcome, if EC extends the deadline for nomination paper submission by at least two to three days, considering the three holidays (Thursday, Friday and Saturday)."
Asked whether the upcoming polls will be free and fair he said: "We all (civil society members and political parties) should call upon EC to ensure free, fair and credible elections."
BNP chairperson's adviser and president of Supreme Court Lawyers Association Advocate Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, Prof Mahbub Ullah of Dhaka University, Advocate Fahima Nasrin Munni, member secretary of Shoto Nagorik Committee and president of a faction of Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) poet Abdul Hye Sikder, and Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Jafrullah Chowdhury were included in the delegation.
Meanwhile, BNP chairperson's adviser Abdul Awal Mintoo and economic affairs secretary of BNP national executive committee Abdus Salam collected nominations papers from respective returning officers on Wednesday for contesting the upcoming city corporation polls. Mr Mintoo will contest for DNCC mayoral, while Mr Salam for DSCC.
Tafsirul M Awal, Mr Mintoo's son, collected the nomination paper on behalf of his father, while BNP leader Monirul Islam collected on behalf of Mr Salam.
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