Following the conclusion of the 12th National Parliamentary elections earlier this year, the Election Commission (EC) finds itself immersed in a series of upcoming electoral events throughout 2024.
EC officials have confirmed the presence of various elections slated throughout the year, thereby designating 2024 as an "election year."
Preparations are underway within the EC to compile a comprehensive list of pending elections, many of which were previously stalled. Among these efforts is the organization of elections for the 50 reserved seats for women in the 12th National Parliament, with the election schedule expected to be announced imminently.
Additionally, plans are in motion for the announcement of the general election schedule for Upazilas in March, coinciding with the upcoming election in the Naogaon-2 constituency on February 12.
Subsequent to this, on March 9, a by-election is scheduled for the Comilla City Corporation, while the EC has already declared the general election in Mymensingh city and the polling schedule for 233 local government institutions on the same day.
Further announcements regarding Upazila election schedules are anticipated in March, with the EC aiming to execute a phased approach to conduct these elections, thereby addressing previously delayed electoral processes.
Voting in reserved seats for women: The EC is preparing for the election of 50 reserved seats for women in the 12th Parliament. Preparations are underway to announce the election schedule. The list of parliamentarians will be sent to the EC from the parliament secretariat soon. After that the draft list will be published in the same way as the voter list is published. If there are no objections after publication, this will be the final voter list. Later, the schedule will be announced with the approval of the commission.
Then there will be elections if necessary, and not if not. Regarding the schedule announcement, EC additional secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath said, “We will take up the proposal of the schedule to the commission. The schedule will be announced if the commission approves. As per the existing law, women's seats are allocated in proportion to the number of seats won by parties in direct elections. Members of Parliament elected in general seats of Parliament become voters of reserved seats.”
Poll in 233 institutions on March 9: The EC has announced the schedule of by-elections for the Comilla City Corporation and general elections in Mymensingh City Corporation, keeping the date of polling on March 9. The deadline for submitting nomination papers for this election is February 13. After February 15 verification, there is an opportunity to withdraw nomination papers till February 22. On March 9 from 8 am to 4 pm, votes will be casted in these two cities through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). At the same time, 233 local government elections will be held in general and by-elections on March 9.
EC officials said that among the polls that will be held on March 9, there is one City Corporation general election, four by-elections for city vacancies, three municipal general elections, 15 by-elections, 13 UP general elections, 190 by-elections and 7 by-elections in Zilla Parishad. Voting in Zilla Parishad will be held from 9 am to 2 pm. Voting will be held from 8 am to 4 pm in all remaining elections. Votes will be taken through electronic voting machines (EVMs) in city, municipal and district councils and on ballot papers in UP elections.
Meanwhile, the election of the postponed Naogaon-2 constituency will be held on February 12. Eight days before the 12th parliamentary elections, the EC postponed the polls when independent candidate Aminul Haque died on December 29.
(The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on January 31 and rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan)
