The Election Commission (EC) is preparing to hold local-government elections in phases from October, with Union Parishad (UP) and municipality polls likely to be conducted in the first phase, reports BSS.
"The commission would be able to complete all necessary preparations within one-and-a-half months once the required coordination with the government is completed. It could take nearly a year to complete elections for all tiers of local government institutions," said Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud in an exclusive interview with the news agency at the EC headquarters in the capital.
Masud said elections for almost all levels of local government are currently due and must be held gradually to maintain constitutional and legal continuity.
"The commission has already started the necessary preparations targeting October," he added.
He said the commission has not yet taken any formal decision regarding which tier of local government elections will be held first. However, considering practical and administrative realities, Union Parishad and municipality elections are the most likely to be held in the first phase.
He said the formation of Upazila Parishads depends on the completion of Union Parishad and municipality elections. Therefore, the commission is planning to conduct those two elections first, followed by Upazila Parishad polls.
The election commissioner said several factors are taken into account while fixing the election schedule, including public examinations, religious festivals and observances, the monsoon season, and geographical and communication conditions in different parts of the country. "The commission will announce the final election schedule after reviewing all these issues," he said.
Regarding formal communication with the government, Masud said no official discussion has yet taken place and the commission has not received any formal letter from the government.
"However, the commission is moving ahead with all preparations on its own initiative. Once formal communication with the government begins, we are hopeful that all preparations for holding the elections can be completed within one to one-and-a-half months," he added.
Replying to a question, he said it could take around one year to complete elections for Union Parishads, municipalities, Upazila Parishads, Zila Parishads and city corporations in phases.The election commissioner said the work to amend relevant laws, rules and the electoral code of conduct for local government elections is now at its final stage. A draft of the revised code of conduct has already been published on the commission's website, and opinions have been sought from political parties, civil society, the media and the general public. The commission will review the feedback before finalising the amendments.
He said several important changes are being introduced in the revised rules. The security deposit for Union Parishad candidates will be increased, while online submission of nomination papers will not be allowed. Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will not be used in the upcoming local government elections.
