National polls in December : CEC

Staff Reporter :

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said according to Chief Adviser (CA) announcement, the EC is preparing to hold parliamentary polls in December.

He said it is not duty of Election Commission to participate in any political debate.
The CEC made the remarks while talking to journalists at capital Agargaon area’s NirbachanBhavan on Tuesday.

AMM NasirUddin said NID services should remain under the EC.
Newly formed political party National Citizen Party (NCP) has demanded to organize parliamentary and GanoParishad elections at the same time. When drew attention of the CEC over the issue, he said the commission is fully concentrate to hold parliamentary polls.

Political party will make various types of remarks, it is not EC’s duty to participate in those.

Head of the government had announced a time-frame for national polls and it is either in December this year or mid of next year. We are getting ready with this schedule, he added.
“We have maintained this position since the reform commission’s report.

It is a by-product of voter registration, and it should stay within our jurisdiction.”

He further stated that the government would make a well-considered decision, and the EC has already expressed its opinion in the initial meeting. “The commission will also submit its official stance in writing once they receive the meeting minutes.”

When asked whether the government should have consulted the EC before drafting the new law, the CEC pointed out that a previous attempt to transfer NID to the home ministry had failed after discussions with the government.

“This is a significant decision. Voter registration is ongoing, thousands of staff are working, and we are preparing for the upcoming national elections. I don’t think such a major change will be rushed without careful consideration,” he added.