Will dive into the local government elections when everyone is ‘ready’, says CEC

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin has said the Election Commission will dive into the local government elections only after everyone’s preparations are complete.

He made the remark in response to a question at an “Executive Leadership Dialogue” programme with officials at the Election Training Institute in Dhaka’s Agargaon on Monday.

Asked when the local government polls will open, Nasir said: “We cannot state a date now; the date depends on many factors.”

“We are amending some of our laws, rules and regulations. We have sent them to the ministry for vetting. Discussions will be held with the government, keeping in mind the legal obligations."

Saying the commission will announce a schedule once the preparations of the law-enforcing agencies and other relevant agencies are complete, the CEC said: "We cannot function without a government; BGB, SRB (RAB)—everyone is a part of the government.”

“Not only is my Election Commission preparing, but all these forces—those who will work during the elections—need to prepare.”

Nasir said, “A new government has come. When everyone is ready, then you will know that the Election Commission is ready.

“The Election Commission will not dive into elections once our own house is in order. We will dive into the elections alongside everyone. We have taken steps so that everyone can prepare.”

In addition to the Election Commission’s own preparations for the local government elections, the CEC also highlighted the preparations of other government agencies and forces. He has already met with the police chief to learn about the development of the law-and-order situation and police coordination.

This year’s parliamentary elections were held without much of the typical violence. When asked whether that will continue in the local elections, CEC Nasir said: “There is a little more violence during the local elections. We will try our best; the various forces and law-enforcing agencies will have a little greater responsibility on that front. I hope that, with everyone’s cooperation, we will be able to restrict it.”

He said, “In the past, we have seen a lot of violence during such elections, so that is on the mind of the commission. We will try to mobilise law-enforcing agencies effectively.”

CEC Nasir expressed hope that the local polls will also be well considered, as the national elections were.

Highlighting the various experiences of the officials during the elections, he said: “Commitment will allow everyone to move forward and overcome the challenges that have to be faced at every level. There is no shortage of commitment here.

“[These polls] will be better, not worse than the way in which we held the national election. We will want to do better. So that standard will remain.”

Election officials say there is a plan to hold polls in phases from October for union council, municipal, Upazila, and city elections. 

The Election Commission will finalise the date and time of these elections through discussions with the government. 

Currently, work is under way to prepare the voter list and reform the laws and regulations.

CEC Nasir said school and college teachers will be polling officers, and polling centres will be located in educational institutions. 

Therefore, the election timing will be fixed after taking into consideration public exams, weather, floods, and holidays.