B'desh EC announces general elections schedule,polling on Dec 18

Dhaka, Nov 2 (UNI) Bangladesh Chief Election Commissioner Shamsul Huda today announced the schedule for the country's ninth Parliamentary election fixing December 18 for polling day.

In a nationwide broadcast, Dr Huda appealed to all political parties to help ensure free, fair and credible elections abiding by the election rules.

According to the schedule, November 13 has been fixed as the last date for submitting nomination papers.

The scrutiny of the nomination papers will be done on November 16 and 17 while the last date for withdrawal of candidature has been fixed November 24.

The election was originally slated for January 22 last year but it was cancelled following volatile political atmosphere and violent clashes between supporters of two big parties, Awami League of ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and another ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

UNI XC RJ BST2110