Election Commission promises inclusive national polls as it unveils roadmap

The Election Commission has revealed its work plan for the next national election, promising a credible and all-inclusive national election.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 16 July 2017, 09:22 AM
Updated : 16 July 2017, 09:21 PM

"This is just a document on how we will initiate the process. We will update and amend it upon talks with stakeholders as we move forward," Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda said at a media briefing on Sunday.

The Huda-led commission, which took office in February, will oversee the 11th parliamentary election. The commission is often harshly accused by the BNP of being ‘subservient’ to the ruling party.

The CEC said they will now focus on seven specific issues until the schedule for the elections is announced.

The tenth parliament convened on Jan 29, 2014, which means the eleventh national election has to be held between Oct 30, 2018 and Jan 27, 2019.

Huda said they will meet with civil society, media, political parties, polls observers, representatives of women's rights bodies and election experts on the issues.

Asked whether the commission was considering measures of over police crashing a 'social gathering' of politicians in Dhaka, he said that the matter does not concern them.

"We will take steps to ensure a congenial atmosphere for the polls after the schedules are announced. We do not have any request to the government now."

Huda said that the Elections Commission's jurisdiction to ensure a proper political environment starts after the schedule is announced and ends 90 days later.

"It's not the commission's concern how the government will work at this moment."