Fresh off the 13th parliamentary polls, the Election Commission (EC) is preparing to hold elections to the reserved women’s seats, the Bogura-6 by-polls and the rescheduled election in Sherpur-3, before turning to city corporation and union council polls.
The commission has yet to set a timeframe for local government elections. Officials said they would consider letters issued by the previous interim government but are awaiting guidance from the new administration.On February 1, eleven days before the national election, the then interim government’s Local Government Division instructed the EC to arrange polls in Dhaka North, Dhaka South and Chattogram city corporations.
DSCC’s tenure expired on June 1 last year, DNCC’s on June 2, and CCC’s on February 22 this year. Under the Local Government (City Corporation) Act, 2009, elections must be held within 180 days of a city corporation’s tenure ending.EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told The Daily Star the commission is not disregarding the earlier letters but must set priorities.
“Our responsibility is to conduct elections,” he said.
Asked whether the EC requires government letters to hold local polls, he said, “If not, then why were the letters issued? Presidential, parliamentary, reserved women’s seats or any other election — if we are told, the Election Commission will conduct it. The medium of instruction is written. That is why the letter was sent on February 1.”
