Election Commissioner Md Shah Nawaz on Monday said the arrangement of elections to bifurcated Dhaka City Corporation and other local government body is not possible right now as the national election is approaching fast. The Election Commission could not hold the DCC election as the Local Government Ministry re-demarcated three wards of newly included Sultanganj Union of Dhaka South City Corporation, he told reporters replying to a query at his EC secretariat office. The commission fails to prepare the voter lists of wards due to the ministry’s negligence. The ministry has already informed the Election Commission that it is not possible to redraw the delimitation of the wards in a short time. “As it’s a local government election, the commission can’t arrange the polls, if the ministry doesn’t want,” he continued. About sending letters to political parties seeking their updated information, he said it is a routine work of the commission. “The EC secretariat performs the work regularly.” Regarding BNF, he said the commission has not given them any chance for the third time unethically. Rather, they have been given further time as they raised objection over the report given by some Zialla and Upazila-level EC officials. An investigation committee is now examining again whether the party fulfilled the requirement for getting registration with the Election Commission. He hoped the final decision over registration of the party will b made at the end of this month. Asked whether an MP can hold the office of profit, he said it cannot be said conclusively. “We’re now examining the laws and the court verdicts in this regard.” – UNB
