Dhaka, Nov 15 – The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday came up with the decision that the 11th parliamentary polls will be held on the revised schedule date on December 30. Brushing aside the demand of Jatiya Oikya Front which demanded the deferral of election for three weeks, EC came with the fresh decision.
A 14-member delegation of the Jatiya Oikya Front led by Dr Kamal Hossain had a talk with the Commission on Wednesday about the deferment of elections for three weeks but the Election Commission
secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed yesterday said the 11th parliamentary polls will be held on December 30.
“There is no way to delay the election date. It will be held on the 30th December,” Helal told the journalists at a press conference in the Election Bhaban in the capital after holding a meeting of the commission led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda.
“The Commission has a number of functions in January like gazette publication of election results, by-elections. Besides, there is Biswa Ijtema. It is not logical and realistic to defer the polls. So the election will be held on the revised schedule,” EC secretary said.
EC in its first schedule announced the election day on December 23 but when the Jatiya Oikya Front comprising of BNP and other political parties demanded deferral of polls, the CEC announced another fresh date of the election on December 30.
When leaders of Jatiya Oikya Front met CEC on Wednesday demanding deferral of elections for three weeks, EC assured them that they will let them know about their decision on election delay.
Finally, EC held a meeting yesterday and announced their decision that election would be held on December 30.
However, the Oikya Front leaders on Wednesday told the media after meeting with EC that their participation in the election will depend on the behaviour of the government and EC.
At that time BNP secretary general Mirza Fakrul Isalm Alamgir also said, “EC has listened to us. Every time they listen to but how much they will fulfil the demands, people and media will decide it.”
However, EC secretary yesterday in reply to a query of the journalists said, “We would invite the foreign observers in the elections.” – Staff Reporter
