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Schedule this week for holding parliamentary polls and referendum early next February with the timing for twin vote extended by an hour, the Election Commission decided Sunday and apprised the government about its preparation.
The one-hour time extension comprises half an hour in the morning and another half an hour in the afternoon. Voting will begin at 7:30am and continue until 4:30pm, without break, the EC announced the decision at a press briefing.
Later in the day, the election commissioners met Chief Adviser of the interim government Professor Muhammad Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna and briefed him on the EC preparation for conducting the post-uprising national elections and referendum meant for ratifying the changeover and reforms.
Reiterating the government's commitment to delivering a transparent and peaceful election, the Chief Adviser said the first nationwide vote under the caretaker administration aims to be "the finest in the nation's history".
"You are in the driver's seat in this long-awaited national election. We must reach our destination," he told the election commissioners.
During the meeting, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin briefed Chief Adviser Prof Yunus on the progress in preparation for the upcoming general election and the planned nationwide referendum - both expected to be held in the first half of February.
The CEC was accompanied by Election Commissioners Abdur Rahman El Mashud, Tahmida Ahmad, Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar and Brigadier-Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah, and Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.
National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser M Siraj Uddin Mia were also in attendance.
According to Nasir Uddin, preparations for election management are "progressing smoothly and on schedule," with the commission being "fully ready" to conduct both the parliamentary polls and the referendum the same day.
He expressed appreciation to the interim government for its cooperation, also conveying gratitude - through the Chief Adviser - to the armed forces and law-enforcement agencies for their support.
The CEC notes that a growing level of public engagement in electoral activities has contributed to a "positive electoral atmosphere" across the country.
Professor Yunus welcomes the briefing and praises the Election Commission's progress, reaffirming that the interim administration would continue to provide all necessary support to ensure a credible vote.
Earlier, at the press briefing after the EC meet, Election Commissioner Brigadier-Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Sanaullah said, "The schedule for the national elections and the referendum will be announced very soon. As the Chief Election Commissioner has already said we will declare the schedule sometime within this week."
Chief Election Commissioner Nasir Uddin chaired the 10th commission meeting held at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka's Agargaon, agencies report.
"There are some procedural tasks we must complete beforehand. As per our tradition, the full commission will meet the President. A letter will be sent tomorrow to Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television to record the statement of the Chief Election Commissioner," he said.
Sanaullah said, "We have decided to extend the voting hours by one hour - half an hour in the morning and half an hour in the afternoon. Voting will begin at 7:30am and continue until 4:30pm."
The voter list has been finalized. Another list will later be finalized with postal voters incorporated.
Regarding presiding officers, assistant presiding officers, and polling officers the EC reviewed the list prepared from the field level and made decisions accordingly. Officers from government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous institutions, and state-owned banks will be included in this list.
"We are not considering officers from private commercial banks for now--they will remain in reserve and will only be engaged if necessary," the commissioner told the press.
About election materials, he said it was discussed and finalized. "All election materials, including ballot papers, will be delivered to polling centres the night before the election, as done previously. Since we are conducting two elections simultaneously, necessary preparations have been made."
Regarding time management for the national elections and referendum, he said, "You know we conducted a mock voting. Based on that experience, and the experience of those who have managed elections previously at the field level, several decisions have been made. First, every room used for polling will have multiple marking places or secret booths."
On referendum campaigning, he said the government is undertaking an extensive programme for referendum publicity, and the Election Commission will assist.
To ensure voters understand the referendum questionnaire before entering the polling centre, the referendum ballot will be printed in large size and displayed at the front of each voting line.
"Clear instructions will also be provided at the centres for persons with disabilities, elderly voters, pregnant women, and others requiring assistance so they can cast their vote comfortably," the EC decides.
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