The Election Commission is planning to announce the schedule for the 10th parliamentary election next week, election commissioner Mohammad Shahnewaz told reporters on Wednesday.
The EC would fix the date for announcement of the election schedule within a couple of days. The commission had also apprised the President of its preparation during a meeting on Tuesday, he added. The elections, according to the Constitution, have to be held by January 25 next year.
“No one should be worried over the preparation for holding the election. We are getting ready to hold the election as per the Constitution. We are hopeful that we would be able to conduct a free, fair and participatory election,” the election commissioner said.
The election code of conduct would be implemented following the announcement of the schedule, he added.
Replying to a question, the EC member said the nation is expecting a consensus among all political parties regarding the election. He also said that the EC had informed the President that deployment of the Army was needed for holding a free and fair election.
“Regular surveillance by law enforcement agencies is not enough to ensure a peaceful election. That is why armed forces will have to be deployed,” he said. The President had assured the EC of his full cooperation within the limit of the constitution, he added. Sources said that the EC was delaying the announcement of poll schedule considering the possibility of the BNP’s participation in the upcoming election. The EC has also requested the President to take steps to ensure a participatory election.
Meanwhile, some political observers feel that if the BNP insists on reconstitution of the EC as a condition for participating in the election, the scenario might be change and that is why the EC is yet to announce the schedule.
The main opposition has been demanding reconstitution of the EC for a long time, saying that the incumbent EC is acting as per the directives of the government.
-With The Independent input
