Noman Mosharef :
The Election Commission (EC) has been facing uncertainty whether it could hold election of Union Parishad (UP), Municipalities, Zila Parishad and Narayangong City Corporation in due time.
On the other hand, incumbent Election Commission led by KM Nurul Huda is going to end its tenure on February 2022.
Before that Huda commission wants to complete polls of about 4,000 UP, 20 municipalities, few Zilla Parishad and Narayangong City Corporation raising question whether is it possible in time.
EC polls related officials said a significant number of local body election has been halted as deadly novel coronavirus transmission had surged in the country. So the date of the polls has been rescheduled for several times.
Including all obstacle, however, EC is under huge pressure and facing challenge during its farewell period.
No one can say when the postponed elections will be held before the EC’s tenure ends.
Officials said EC wants to complete all of elections before the end of their tenure and are planning to hold polls in December. Earlier, elections to 204 Union Parishads held on 21 June while 167 UP polls postponed considering Covid-19 infection. Later 161 union parishads, 9 municipality’s election held on 20 September.
Cumilla-7 Constituency, 15 upazilas, one municipality, 5 councillors of city corporations and 5 councllors of municipality’s by-polls are acheduled to be held on October 8.
But Prof Pran Gopal Datta, former vice-chancellor of BSMMU, has been declared elected unopposed in Cumilla-7 by-polls as NAP nominee Monirul Islam withdrew his candidature.
Besides, the EC will have to organised by-elections in a reserved seat of the Jatiya Sangsad within 90 days. The constitutional body is sitting in a formal meeting at the end of this month to decide on these elections within the next three and a half months.
Failure to hold vote in the Covid-19 situation created uncertainty that all local government elections would be held on time. Regarding various local elections, EC Secretary Humayun Kabir Khandaker said there were plans to hold polls in about 4,000 UPs between October and December.
However, the commission will decide in this regard. The commission is scheduled to meet later this month. The meeting may decide on the steps to be taken or when the UP vote will be held.
Asked about the Nayanganj City Corporation election, he said, “There is time for this election.” It may be possible to hold elections in December. Regarding the Zila Parishad elections, he said, “After giving the list from the local government ministry, the next steps will be taken in this regard.”
