The Election Commission (EC) says that it will look into Jatiya Oikya Front’s call to defer the poll by three weeks.

EC Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed’s remarks came on Wednesday (Nov 14), when Oikya Front top leaders and an Awami League delegation met the Commission.

“In its meeting, the Jatiya Oikya Front said that the schedule was too tight and urged to defer the day of voting. The Commission said it would be tough to hold the polls in January considering several factors, including the Biswa Ijtema,” he said while briefing the media.

Describing the clash between police and BNP activists as an ‘untoward incident’, the EC official said, “The Commission hopes such unfortunate incidents will not repeat as well as instructed to look into the matter.”

On the Oikya Front’s referring to the incident as an example of lack of congenial atmosphere, Secretary Ahmed said, “It can be described as an accident. We have seen that the whole process for nomination forms being carrying out in festivity and the Commission has said it was delightful. However, it will be ensured that such incidents do not repeat.

Responding to a query on the Commission’s instruction to police on violation of code just after the Awami League completed its process and the BNP started, he said that the Commission’s letter to law enforcers ‘applies for all parties’.

“That’s for when the aspirants will file their nominations to returning officers.”