An Election Commissioner on Saturday said the commission can rearrange
its 10th general election schedule if it finds any specific proposal
following a political compromise between the two major parties. “We had been waiting for long a political compromise over the upcoming
polls. The commission will reschedule the polls, if any specific
proposal comes before it,” Election Commissioner Mohammad Abu Hafiz
told reporters at his office. About the BNP-led 18-party opposition
alliance’s train-road-waterway blockade, Hafiz said the blockade is a
political programme and the EC has nothing to say about it. He,
however, said preventing anyone from participating in the election is
violation of the election code of conduct. “The EC will take legal
action if anyone hampers the election process.” Replying to a
question, Hafiz, referring to a court verdict, said city corporation
mayors and Upazila chairmen holding their posts are not eligible to
contest the national election, but the incumbent municipality mayor
has no bar to contesting the parliamentary polls, he added. Asked if
the commission will extend the deadline for submission of nomination
papers due to the countrywide blockade enforced by the opposition
alliance, he replied in the negative. He, however, said if anyone
faces trouble, the commission will take steps. ”We’ve already gave
directions to the law enforcing agencies in this regard.” On
November 25, the Chief Election Commissioner announced the election
schedule fixing polls for January 5. – UNB
