Election Commission meets Thursday to review key laws, policies

A total of 11 issues have been placed on the agenda for Thursday’s meeting

The Election Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, is all set to convene for its third meeting on Thursday, where officials will deliberate on key agenda items, including the Voter List Act, the Delimitation of Constituencies Ordinance Act, and policies for election monitoring.

The commission, which has already issued what some have described as a "dialectical" response to certain recommendations from the Electoral Reform Commission, is expected to propose additional measures it deems necessary ahead of the next parliamentary elections.

While the Reform Commission has put forward its own suggestions, the constitutional body tasked with overseeing the election process is preparing to submit its own set of urgent reform proposals to both the government and the Reform Commission. The goal, officials say, is to ensure that essential changes are in place before a vote takes place by December.

Speaking at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon, Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary to the chief advisor, confirmed that the reform commissions are expected to submit their reports by mid-February.

"The consensus commission will proceed after receiving the reform reports," Shafiqul said.

"The exact timing of the elections will ultimately depend on those reforms."

WHAT’S ON THE AGENDA FOR THE THIRD MEETING?

On Thursday, the EC will review a series of legislative measures, including the Delimitation of Constituencies Ordinance Act, 2021. A total of 11 issues have been placed on the agenda.

The meeting, chaired by the chief election commissioner, will include the participation of four election commissioners and the EC secretary.

Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed stated that the commission will deliberate on critical electoral frameworks, including a review of the Voters’ List Act, 2009, and the Delimitation of Constituencies Ordinance Act, 2021.

Additionally, the agenda features a reassessment of the Election Observation Policy-2023, as well as guidelines governing international election observers and foreign media. The commission will also examine training allowances across various levels of the Election Commission, alongside the selection criteria for trainers and trainees.

“The meeting minutes are being prepared. It is not possible to say what other matters may be discussed outside the agenda. However, information on reforms is not on the agenda,” Akhtar said.

Other items slated for discussion include:

A review of conditions, methods, and limitations surrounding voter registration for expatriates through embassies.

Policies governing journalists and media personnel covering election-related news.

Matters related to the Digital Registration System, or DRS.

Issues concerning the supply of blank voter ID cards.

A proposed framework for the National Election Medal Policy, 2025.

Considerations regarding the duration and capacity expansion of the IDEA Phase II project.

Updates to the commission’s panel of legal counsel, including a reassessment of honoraria and fee structures.

Miscellaneous