Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) has stepped back from its earlier announcement of a seven-phase roadmap for the Union Parishad elections, saying the proposed schedule is not yet final.
The commission had said on Monday (September 14), after a meeting, that the Union Parishad elections would be held in seven phases, with the first phase scheduled for November 12.
However, State Minister for Local Government Mir Shah Alam said on Tuesday (September 15) that the government was unaware of the dates announced by the EC.
He said the Local Government Ministry and the government had not been consulted about the proposed election dates.
Speaking to Star News, Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarker said the commission’s election plan was not final. He noted that Monday’s detailed briefing had repeatedly stated that the plan was subject to change.
“Considering everything, a decision can be reached on Thursday (September 17), InshaAllah,” he said.
Later, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed gave an official response, saying the election dates would be finalised after an inter-ministerial meeting.
“We will hold a meeting with the relevant ministries and those directly involved in conducting the polls. Based on the inputs from that meeting, the commission will finalise the schedule,” Akhtar Ahmed said.
Asked about the state minister’s comments regarding the election plan, the EC senior secretary declined to comment, saying he did not consider it appropriate to do so.
He also declined to respond when asked whether the Election Commission was embarrassed by the development.
