Upazilla polls before Ramadan likely: EC

Staff Reporter :
Election Commission (EC) Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath said there is a possibility of holding the first phase of Upazilla Parishad election before the Holy Ramadan. But the decision is not final yet.

He said it during to reply a query from newsmen on Tuesday at his office Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital’s Agargaon area.
There are 495 upazilla parishads across the country. Generally all upazilla parishad elections do not hold at a time. But the EC organize it step by step.

Ashok Kumar said that they have got the list of about 485 upazilla parishads. Like in the past, this time also upazilla parishad polls to be held step by step.

He said considering all issues, the EC will decide on the election. There is no record of holding polls during the Holy Ramadan. If commission allows, the first phase of upazilla parishad polls will be held before the upcoming Ramdan, and the rest after it.

Additional secretary said there is a provision to organize election within 180 days before end the tenure. Considering that all upazilla parishads are eligible to hold election.

Ashok Kumar Debnath also talked about the reserved women seat election saying that we have got Parliament Member’s (MP) list from the parliament secretariat. According to EC’s permission, the schedule for women reserve seat will be announced.

If the EC allows it in the next week, then polls will be held in February.

When asked how the women reserve seat will be distributed where 62 MPs were elected independently, Ashok Kumar said it will be solved politically. The EC has nothing to say in this regard.