Polls possible soon, as EC ready to update voter list by June: BNP

After a meeting with the Election Commission (EC), BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan has said it is possible to hold the next election promptly, as the Commission is confident to complete the updated voter list by May or June next, reports UNB.

"From their (EC's) words, it seems to us that they will be ready for the election with a completely updated voter list by May or June," he said while speaking to reporters after the meeting at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital on Sunday.

Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, however, said the EC does not have the authority to make the final decision regarding the election.

According to the constitution and conventional rules, he said, a parliamentary election must be held in the country within 90 days of the resignation of a government, but currently, the country is not being run in accordance with that law.

The BNP said the government now needs to request the EC to conduct the election based on political consensus.

"But, we understand that if the complete voter list is ready by next May and June, then a quick election is possible by addressing other relevant issues," he said.

Nazrul said they primarily discussed with the EC what the Commission is currently doing and its preparations for the national election. The EC is working on updating the voter list, which is expected to be finalised by March 2, he added.

The BNP leader said the EC has informed them that around 3.0 million new voters--who were not registered previously--will be added to the updated voter list. "Around 1.5 million deceased voters will also be excluded. Ultimately, 1.5 million voters are expected to be added to the voter list."

In response to a question about whether they are satisfied with the EC's election preparations, Nazrul said, "Well, according to the law, what they are supposed to do, we understand that they are doing it correctly."

Regarding the recommendations of the reform commission, Nazrul said the government will discuss the reform commission's recommendations with stakeholders. "If a decision is made to amend the law or regulations based on those discussions, the Election Commission must comply with them."

Asked whether the EC's concern about losing its power if some proposals of the election reform commission are implemented was discussed, the BNP leader replied, "Look, that's their matter, they will speak on it."

He, however, said if BNP finds any proposal from the reform commission to be an obstacle to conducting a fair election, the party will oppose it, just like the Election Commission would.