Will local elections be partisan? Parliament will decide, says EC

The Election Commission is awaiting a parliamentary decision on whether the upcoming local government elections will be contested under party symbols, according to Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Mashud.

Speaking to reporters at the EC headquarters in Agargaon on Sunday, Mashud said the provision allowing party nominations for mayoral posts has been scrapped through an ordinance.

“Parliament will sit soon. If the bill or ordinance is approved, elections will be held accordingly,” he said.

“If it is changed and the previous system is restored, then it will be different. We are looking to the decision of Parliament.”

The issue has taken on added significance as the BNP, which now holds a parliamentary majority, has formed the government. Whether party symbols remain in local polls will depend on the position adopted in Parliament.

Mashud also said the schedule for elections to the reserved women’s parliamentary seats would be announced soon. The process has already begun, he added, noting that parties represented in Parliament have started nominating candidates.

“According to the rules, the election must be completed within 90 days of the oath-taking. The commission will complete it within the stipulated timeframe,” he said.

The first session of the 13th Parliament is likely to convene in the second week of March. BNP Standing Committee member and Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Saturday that it may begin on Mar 12 or a few days earlier. The speaker and deputy speaker are expected to be elected during the session.

Mashud further said the Bogura-6 by-election and the Sherpur-3 vote will be held before Apr 14

The Bogura-6 seat became vacant after it was relinquished by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, necessitating a by-election. In Sherpur-3, a fresh schedule will be announced after a candidate died ahead of polling.