Local polls to be held in phases from Sep-Oct: EC

The Election Commission (EC) has said it has no plan to deploy armed forces personnel in the imminent local government elections, which are likely to begin in September-October this year and continue in phases into early next year.

As part of its preparations, the EC is drafting uniform rules for elections to five types of local government bodies — city corporations, municipalities, upazila parishads, district councils and union parishads — since existing codes of conduct differ across these tiers.

The rule-making process is expected to be completed by June, although the commission has yet to decide which elections will be held first.

On May 14, the EC’s Law and Rules Reform Committee held its second meeting, where it discussed revisions to the code of conduct for local government elections, the role of law enforcement agencies, the question of army deployment, raising candidates’ security deposits, increasing the ceiling on election expenditure, candidacy conditions, and broader election preparedness.

Addressing concerns over violence and the role of law enforcement, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said the polls would be conducted in a phased manner.

“We will hold these elections in a scattered manner. Different areas will vote separately, not all at once,” he said.

Responding to questions on whether army deployment would be required if violence escalates, he said, “Suppose we are conducting elections in Dhaka division and police will work there. But we are not in favour of deploying the army. Even if the army is present, they will perform normal duties.”

He added that the EC would retain the option of calling in the armed forces if necessary.
“If we see the army is needed, we will call them. If incidents rise in one place, then we will call the army in the next slot with justification.”

Acknowledging that local elections have historically seen higher levels of violence, including clashes and fatalities, Masud said the EC would seek to minimise such incidents.

“We will try to ensure no lives are lost in local polls. Even if incidents occur, we will try to keep them very limited,” he said.

He also said the commission would engage political parties and stakeholders ahead of the elections.
On preparations, Masud added, “We want to ensure a level playing field in local government elections. The work on rules will also be completed by June.”