The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The forthcoming general elections would not be hampered if aggrieved persons file writ petitions against the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies.

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain said this yesterday while addressing a view-exchange meeting on the activities of formulating voter list at Chouddogram Upazila Parishad office.

He said City Corporation elections will be held in April ahead of the general elections. Earlier, debates will be held among the mayoral candidates to ensure the public representatives' accountability.

"Massive discussion is taking place on delimitation issue. There are clear directions about demarcation in article 125 of the Constitution," he said hoping that holding national elections in time would not be hampered due to the writ petition against delimitating the constituencies.

Sakhawat Hossain said according to the current census report, each constituency would be of 415,000 to 435,000 populations.

As of now, some 3.1 crore voters have been registered on the voter list with the direct assistance of the army.

He said preparation of voter list with photographs is a gigantic task and there could be some negligible faults.

"City Corporation elections are to be held in April this year. At that time, debates will be arranged among the mayoral candidates to ensure the public representatives' accountability," The Election Commissioner said.

He said the EC is formulating such laws, rules and codes of conduct that could also be used to hold fair elections in future. He said, government, non-government and army officials of the locality, Union Parishad chairmen and members, and heads of educational institutions were present at the meeting.