B'desh EC plans to hold election next year

Dhaka, July 15: Bangladesh Chief Election Commissioner Shamsul Huda today said he wants to hold general elections anytime between October and December next year.

''December is the extreme timeline. Elections must be held by that time despite act of God,'' he said announcing a roadmap for holding the stalled Parliamentary polls.

The general election was earlier slated for January 22 this year but then postponed in the wake of political turmoil that led to promulgation of the state of emergency on January 11.

Spelling out different timetables for completing the electoral roll, dialogue with political parties and party registration, Dr Huda indicated that the election might be held earlier if all requirements are complete.

He said the Election Commission will hold dialogue with political parties on electoral reforms from September to November this year with a hope that current ban on indoor politics will be lifted before that.

The CEC said voters' registration will start from August this year and electoral roll will be finalised by October next year.

Dr Huda said Parliamentary elections will be preceded by local body elections which will start from January next year.

UNI

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