The Election Commission (EC) is fully prepared for announcing the schedule of the general election by this week, but the final decision may come from Sunday’s meeting of the commissioners, says EC Secretary Helal Uddin.
Speaking to the media after an Election Commission meeting on Saturday, he said, “We have all preparations for announcing the schedule this week. The final meeting will take place tomorrow to discuss over the schedule as well as whether it will finalised then or later,” he said.
Responding to a query on Jatiya Oikya Front’s letter urging to defer the announcement of schedule until the political talks end, Ahmed said they are yet to receive it.
“As the Secretary, I am yet to be informed and that’s the case for the commissioners. So it was not discussed during Saturday’s meeting. If there’s any letter, it will be discussed on Sunday when the meeting resumes,” he added.
On the court’s order to not accept the BNP’s amended charter, the EC official said, “The matter will be presented before the commission. The High Court has given a month to dispose of the matter and it will be completed by then.”
Asked whether that the BNP chief can retain designation in party, he evaded a direct answer and said, “We are yet to discuss the matter. The writ petition and the court’s order are with us and a decision will be taken after going through those.”
EC Secretary Ahmed said that Saturday’s meeting approved the guideline for submitting nominations online as well as discussed regulations for using electronic voting machines (EVMs).