Election Commission holds law and order coordination meeting

The second day of appeal hearings on rejected nominations began after the meeting

The Election Commission (EC) has held a coordination meeting with security agencies and government departments to review law and order arrangements ahead of the 13th parliamentary election and referendum.

The meeting took place on Sunday at the EC headquarters in Dhaka's Agargaon and was chaired by Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah.

Officials from the home ministry, the Armed Forces, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the police were among representatives from 16 departments and agencies who attended the meeting.

The EC said the discussions were part of preparations to ensure security before and after the announcement of the election schedule for the Feb 12 vote.

The home ministry has already issued a circular outlining law and order arrangements for the election.

The meeting comes as the EC moves to finalise candidates following the submission and scrutiny of nomination papers.

Following the meeting, Election Commissioner Sanaullah and EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed joined the second day of appeal hearings challenging returning officers’ decisions on nomination papers.

A total of 645 appeals have been filed, with the hearings, which began on Saturday, set to continue until Jan 18.

All four election commissioners are present at the hearings, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin.