by Mamun Abdullah in Dhaka Tribune, Nov 5, 2023
The Election Commission, led by Kazi Habibul Awal, has almost completed all preparations for the 12th parliamentary elections in accordance with constitutional provisions.
According to insiders at the commission, the election regulatory body is ready to conduct elections on time as per the constitution.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and its affiliated political parties continue to arrange countrywide blockade programs. They previously announced a boycott of elections until a neutral government restores order, and have also decided to boycott all kinds of dialogues with the Election Commission.
However, at least three commissioners informed this reporter about progress in electoral preparations, saying: “The commission is bound to hold national polls based on its commitment to the constitution rather than political situations or the environment.”
Sources at the Election Commission also said the commission will finalize the election schedule in a meeting with President Mohammad Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban. The meeting was originally scheduled for November 5, but an insider in the commission said the meeting will now take place on November 9.
Riaz Uddin, an assistant to Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal, told this reporter that the commission has sought an appointment with the president, which has been scheduled for November 9.
According to the constitution, national elections must be held within 90 days of the end of the five-year term of parliament. The term of the current parliament ends on January 29, and the 90-day countdown began on November 1.
Previously, the commission had hinted that the announcement may occur in the first half of this month, and the election may be held in the first week of January 2024.
Although the commission had initially planned to hold elections in the last week of December, the plan was later changed.
According to constitutional experts, the current constitutional framework lacks clear provisions on an election-time government. Elections are being conducted under the administration of the ruling government since the caretaker government system was abolished in 2011.
The Election Commission expects that most of the political parties will eventually participate in the elections, and the situation will become favourable for polls.
Additionally, amendments to the Representative of People Order (RPO) and the election-related laws have been finalized by the commission.
The commission has also finalized the voter list, which will be published once the election schedule is announced. On Thursday, AKM Humayun Kabir, director general of EC’s National Identity Registration Wing, unveiled the new voters’ list, which now includes a total of 11,96,91,633 voters. Out of them, 6,07,71,579 are male voters, 5,89,19,202 are female voters, and 852 are transgender voters.
According to EC sources, the commission has almost finalized around 42,380 polling centres that will be published as a gazette after announcing the polls schedule.
Meanwhile, a total of 68 local organizations have registered as election observers, and the Commission has invited applications from interested international observers and media until November 21.
Although the EC training program began after the announcement of the polls schedule, it started in advance and is about to conclude. The Commission is also close to finalizing the procurement of ballot papers for all 300 constituencies, according to sources.
Despite the boycott by the BNP and some other parties, the commission has held meetings with other registered political parties.
A total of 44 political parties were invited for two separate dialogue sessions yesterday. In the morning, 22 parties, including the Awami League, were invited, of which 9 parties did not participate. In the afternoon, 22 parties, including the BNP, were invited, and 9 parties, including the BNP, did not participate.
After the meetings, representatives of the political parties told the media that they want participatory and fair polls. Some also demanded an election under a non-political and neutral government to ensure free and fair polls.
In response to a query about their participation, they said that they will participate after observing the commission’s activities.
Representatives from the Islamic Front Bangladesh said they will boycott the election if the commission attempts to arrange polls like those in 2018.
The Bangladesh Supreme Party said the commission must independently appoint polling agents and ensure their security during the polls.
They further said that the commission has assured them of fair polls. However, some other parties have demanded the deployment of the army and insisted that elections be held under the commission’s authority rather than under the ruling party. https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/election/330067/election-commission-determined-to-hold-national
