Announcement of JS polls schedule Thursday

The Election Commission (EC) will announce the schedule for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections on Thursday, said the commission secretary Akhtar Ahmed.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin’s will announce the schedule in his address to the nation at 6:00pm Thursday, he said.

Akhtar Ahmed made announcement after recording of the CEC’s address to the nation on Wednesday afternoon.

Earlier, election officials hinted that the elections are likely to be held on February 8 or February 12.

On Wednesday afternoon, the CEC and all four commissioners, Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmed, Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar, and Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah, met President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban to brief him on election preparations.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud told reporters that the President had been updated on all aspects of the EC’s readiness. “The schedule will be announced today or tomorrow. The speech is being recorded,” he said, adding that the recent court directive on the Bagerhat seat would not affect the schedule. “If we need to exclude that seat, we can. It won’t be a problem,” he said.

Returning to the EC headquarters, Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said that the parliamentary election and the referendum will be held on the same day.

The President sought details about the voter list, party registration status, ballot paper colors, distribution procedures, and the time required for voters – based on mock polling conducted by the EC.

The President also reviewed the EC’s voting time extension – from 7:30am to 7:30pm – and expressed satisfaction. He took particular interest in the arrangements for overseas voting and in-country postal ballots.

“After hearing the full briefing, the President expressed satisfaction and assured the EC of all necessary cooperation to ensure a fair and meaningful election,” the EC Secretary said.

Akhtar Ahmed confirmed that the CEC’s speech would be recorded at 4pm. “The CEC will now sit with the commissioners to finalise the timing of the announcement. Once the decision is made, I will brief the media,” he added.