As the Election Commission (EC) awaits an official letter to organise the upcoming national polls, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin assured that tall electoral processes would be completed within September this year.
The EC added that the polls would be held in the first half of February and the electoral schedule would be announced two months ahead of the election date, possibly by December.
He made the remarks while speaking to the reporters at the EC headquarters in the capital on Wednesday afternoon.
On Tuesday, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus announced in a televised address marking July Uprising Day that he would formally notify the EC, on behalf of the interim government, to arrange the national polls in February next year.
Nasir said they expect to receive the letter in this regard soon, adding, "The Commission has already started preparing for the elections. Although there are a lot of challenges, the EC is prepared to hold a transparent and participatory election."
The draft delimitation of constituencies has already been published.
He also said draft voter lists were ready and that the final voter list would be prepared by the end of August.
"We will finalise it after going through several procedures within August," the CEC pledged, adding that the procurement tender would be finalised by the end of September.
"About registration (of political parties), it can be said that the process has been delayed a bit. The aspiring political parties have submitted their documents. The EC is scrutinising them. After finalising the list and registration, the EC has to advertise it for 15 days to see whether there are any objections. If everything turns out well, the party will be registered," he explained.
"We are hoping to complete preparations within September," he said.
The CEC also said that they are working on a process so that the persons who are on duty during the election can cast their own vote. They are considering the postal method for this.
Nasir also said that fake news was being spread about dates for upcoming national polls. "The EC observed that formal media are providing accurate information but social-media based sources on Facebook and Youtube are spreading misinformation."
According to the EC, regaining public trust is the main challenge for the EC. Besides, making election officials active and professional is another challenge.
He said approving the draft RPO could solve many crises for them.
For instance, if a massive level crisis is observed in any constituency, it would empower them to postpone elections in the full constituency. He also hoped that returning officers, assigned by the EC, would perform their duties transparently and professionally.
The CEC confirmed the banned Awami League would not be allowed to contest the elections.
However, he refrained from commenting on whether Awami League leaders would be allowed to contest as independent candidates.
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