Though it was supposed to complete the delimitation process by December last as per its roadmap prepared for the next national polls, the Election Commission (EC) could not yet publish the draft delimitation of the country's 300 constituencies, reports UNB.
Now the commission wants to complete the process of delimitation of the constituencies at least six months before the election as it faces difficulties to do so due to a court order over the Comilla-10 constituency.
As per the roadmap unveiled in July 2017, it was supposed to publish the draft delimitation of constituencies in November 2017 and arrange public hearings on complaints regarding the draft in November and December 2017.
This time the boundaries of some constituencies will be redrawn as a routine work as the commission does not have enough time to go for massive changes in delimitation of constituencies ahead of the 11th national election likely to be held in December.
"The process of demarcating constituencies will have to be completed at least six months before the polls," said Election Commissioner Rafiqul Islam, the head of EC's committee over delimitation of constituency.
The High Court in March 2017 passed an order to take steps for restoration of the constituency comprising only Nangalkot upazila in Comilla following a writ petition filed challenging the existing delimitation of Comilla-10 constituency.
In December last, the higher court also issued a contempt of court against the EC for not taking steps in this regard.
The EC has recently filed a leave to appeal petition with the Appellate Division challenging the High Court order over the Comilla-10 constituency.
Rafiqul Islam told the news agency that they face difficulties following the court order as they cannot increase the number of constituencies to 301 ones from the existing 300.
"So, they're waiting for the disposal of the case and will follow what the court will pass the judgment finally in this regard," he said.
If the case is not disposed of soon, the commission will take some alternative plans to complete the demarcation of constituencies at least six months before the national polls, Rafiqul Islam added.
EC officials said the draft delimitation of 300 constituencies may be published in February or early March to complete the process by May next following arrangement of public hearing over claims, complaints and suggestions in this regard.
In July 2017, the EC initiated its move to prepare a new policy and enact a new law to replace the existing 'Delimitation of Constituencies Ordinance 1976' with some changes. But it is yet to complete the process.
The EC framed a draft delimitation of constituencies bill 2017 incorporating provision to consider voter size alongside population size as well as not to split Upazila during the redrawing a constituency.
But the EC has yet to finalise it as the proposed law may lead massive changes to the existing demarcation of constituency.
So, the commission is now thinking to re-demarcate the constituencies following the old law due to time constraint as the schedule for 11th national election is likely to be held in November next, the EC officials said.
Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda at a recent programme in Satkhira said they will redraw the boundaries of some 60 constituencies.
Joining the EC's dialogue last year, some registered political parties proposed not to change the delimitation of constituencies ahead of the next polls as it will invite controversies and complexities.
