The Election Commissioners will hold a formal meeting on Wednesday to decide on the announcement of the upcoming 12th National Parliamentary election schedule.
As per tradition, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) announced the voting schedule of the National Parliamentary elections to the nation through a speech on Bangladesh television and radio.
On the day of announcement of the schedule, preparations are made for the recording of the speech in the election building. Along with the recording, there are also plans to announce the schedule live. The election commission has already taken the preparation to announce the schedule any day.
According to EC sources, Bangladesh Television crews have been instructed to remain on standby for two days today for recording or live broadcast of CEC's speech regarding the schedule. If it is decided to change the schedule in the afternoon meeting of the commission today, CEC can address the nation at 7 pm.
However, the decision of the commission meeting depends on when, when the schedule of parliamentary elections will be announced. The commission said that the election schedule may be announced within this week. Voting may take place in the first week of January.
Election Commission Secretary Jahangir Alam said on Tuesday afternoon, “I will give a press briefing on Wednesday at 10 am when, when and how the schedule of the 12th National Assembly elections will be announced. He made this comment in response to various questions of journalists at his office in the election building.”
“As you know, as many elections have been scheduled since 70, the CEC has informed the nation in its address to the nation. This tradition will continue.”
In response to the question whether the United States' Assistant Secretary of State for Central and South Asia Donald Lu has sent a letter to the parties for dialogue, the announcement of the schedule will have any effect. Jahangir Alam said, no. There will be no effect. The first is whether it is a letter of dialogue or not, the commission is not aware. Because it did not come to the commission. The Commission has at its own pace mapped out the roadmap in light of its constitutional responsibilities, the elections will be held accordingly.
About the law and order situation Jahangir Alam said, the commission gave them instructions in the law and order meeting. They said, they will ensure security as per the commission. They said their initiative in this regard. I know till yesterday, they have prepared according to the instructions of EC.
Security beefed up at EC: Security has been beefed up in the Election Commission and its surrounding areas. Apart from this, private hearing for revision of NID in Election Commission building has been closed since Tuesday. Police security has been increased in four teams in front of the Election Commission, which was not there before. Apart from this, even if one enter the election commission building, one have to face police questioning in front of the gate. Besides, the police patrol has also been increased.
(The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on November 15 and rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan)
