CEC Kazi Habibul Awal addresses the nation on Wednesday. Photo: PID
Dispelling all uncertainties, the Election Commission (EC) has at long last announced the much-talked-about schedule of the 12th parliamentary polls – with the voting scheduled for January 7.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal made the announcement in an address to the nation broadcast on TV and radio in the evening on Wednesday.
As per the announced schedule, the last date for submission of nomination papers for the 12th National elections is November 30. Nomination papers will be selected from December 1 to 4. Last date for withdrawal of candidature is December 17 and allotment of symbols is December 18. For this purpose, the appointment of 66 returning officers and 592 assistant returning officers has been finalized.
The CEC announced the schedule of the 12th parliamentary elections in accordance with Article 123 Clause (3) Sub-clause (a) of the Constitution and as per the decision of the Election Commission. Before addressing the nation, the election commissioners held a meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal in the election commission building at 5 pm. Four election commissioners Ahsan Habib Khan, Rasheda Sultana, Md. Alamgir, Md. Anishur Rahman and EC Secretary Md. Jahangir Alam were present in the commission meeting. The election schedule was finalized there.
There is no political consensus yet on what will be the government during the election. BNP has announced not to go to the elections under the current government. Like-minded opposition parties including BNP are enforcing hartal and blockade programs to demand the resignation of the government. CEC announced the schedule of parliamentary elections in this conflicting political situation.
While announcing the schedule, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal urged the political parties to avoid all kinds of conflicts and violence ahead of 12th National parliamentary elections.
He said, “After taking charge, we discussed with all interested political parties, intellectuals, academics, civil society, senior journalists and election experts. We heard their opinion. We also explained our position. We have also repeatedly invited disinterested parties to registered dialogues. But they refused our invitation.”
He further said that there is a need for favourable political environment desired for free, fair, participatory and festive elections. But in the election question; There is a difference of opinion among the country’s political leadership especially on the question of the institutional system of elections. In multiparty politics, there can be ideological differences.
But if disagreements lead to conflict and violence, the resulting instability can have an adverse impact on the electoral process, he added, consensus and solutions are needed. On behalf of the Election Commission, I humbly request all the political parties of the country to seek solutions by avoiding conflict and violence.
The CEC said that the law-and-order forces should ensure the overall security of the candidates, voters, election officials and the general security of the polling stations. Fake votes, vote rigging, ballot rigging, money laundering and possible use of muscle power can influence elections. People must unite and resist it collectively in any way possible.
Before this, the 11th National Parliament election was held on December 30, 2018. According to the constitution, the next parliament has to be elected within 90 days before the expiry of the term of the parliament. The term of the current parliament ends on January 29 next year. There is an obligation to elect the twelfth parliament within the previous 90 days.
The total number of voters in the upcoming 12th National parliamentary elections is 11,96,91,633. The Election Commission (EC) has released the final voter turnout for the Parliamentary elections on November 2. According to the information given by the EC, among the total voters, the number of male voters is 6,07,71,579, the number of female voters is 5,89,19,202 and the number of transgender voters is 852.
The election schedule is announced at a time when the opposition parties, including the BNP, are agitating for the resignation of the government. BNP and other political parties and alliances in the simultaneous movement have been promising to give strict programmes when the schedule is announced.
Messenger/Disha
