Staff Reporter :
The Election Commission (EC) has announced fresh date for holding the 11th Parliamentary polls on December 30 with the deadline for filing nomination paper on November 28.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda made the announcement of the revised polls schedule at a function at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the capital on Monday.
“The EC has decided to defer the deadline for filing nomination paper on November 28. And thus, the new date for holding the election has been fixed on December 30,” the CEC said this while inaugurating a two-day fair for demonstration of EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) at the BICC.
“This revision took place on the backdrop of the changed political atmosphere as political parties willing to participate in the national polls demanded a deferment to the schedule to have sufficient time for taking preparations,” Nurul Huda said.
He said the EC is contented over the decision of BNP, Oikyafront, Juktafront and other political parties to contest the polls.
In a circular issued on Monday evening, the EC said scrutiny of nomination papers will be completed on December 2 and the deadline for withdrawal of candidature fixed on December 9.
After scrutiny, candidates will have three working days to file complaint, if any.
According to election schedule announced on November 8, the polls date was December 23 and the deadline for submission of nomination papers was November 19. CEC Nurul Huda said that he always wanted a participatory national polls.
“So, it is a complacent for the EC that BNP, Oikyafront, Juktafront and other political parties have decided to participate in the national election. I welcome their decision,” he said.
On Sunday last, Jatiya Oikyafront, BNP and Juktafront had placed written demand to the EC for deferral of the polls schedule.
In a reaction to the demand, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader told the media that his party has no objection if EC defers the polls schedule.
