The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) has hinted the poll schedule could be ‘changed’ if the Opposition BNP agrees to take part in the national election.
“Every option will be available if an agreement is reached [between the Awami League and the BNP],” Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad said in reply to a reporter’s query on Tuesday.Announcing the roadmap of the 10th national election on Monday, the CEC had said they could not wait any longer because of constitutional stipulations.
The Opposition rejected the schedule and demanded it be put on hold until an agreement was reached with the government over the nature of the poll-time regime.
Bangladesh goes to the national election on Jan 5. The last date for filing the nomination papers is Dec 2, which, according to Jatiya Party chief HM Ershad, is a rather ‘short time’.
Polls schedule had to be changed thrice before the 9th national election for the BNP’s participation.
The voting date was changed once but the deadline for the submission of nomination was extended thrice.
Then CEC ATM Shamsul Huda had said the changes had been made to ensure everyone’s participation.
Law and order meeting on Thursday
There will be a meeting with the top security agency on Thursday to assess the law and order situation, the CEC said.
In his televised address, CEC Ahmad had said the army would be deployed during the poll alongside regular security forces.
Election Commissioner Zabeb Ali said the EC was yet to decide on a date for army deployment, adding that it would depend on the current situation.
Usually, the men in uniform are called out once the poll campaign starts or several days before the election.
“The army deployment might be for a longer period if the situation deteriorates,” Ali, a former army officer, said in reply to a reporter’s query.-bdnews24.com
