The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Amid objection from major political parties the Election Commission (EC) has completed the delimitation process of 133 parliamentary constituencies.

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (Retd) M Shakhawat Hossain yesterday told reporters that a gazette in this regard would be published within couple of days.

Out of the total of 300 parliamentary constituencies, a total of 133 seats were refixed in the preliminary draft. However, in the final process of the delimitation minor changes were brought to 84 constituencies.

It may be mentioned that the draft gazette in this regard was published on April 29 last.

The Election Commissioner said the government would take stern action in the cases of violation of the existing electoral laws during the ensuring city corporation and pourasabha polls.

"Action will also be taken against the election officials if they violate the electoral rules," he said.

Shakhawat Hossain said, the Commission had decided to take stern actions against the official concerned for any violation of rules in the scrutiny of the nomination papers in Rajshahi City Corporation polls.

It may be mentioned that Rajshahi Additional Divisional Commissioner M Akhteruzzaman announced five nomination papers as legal on July 8, which had earlier been declared invalid by the Returning Officer.

The Election Commission uphold the decision of the returning officer and cancelled the decision of the commissioner.

The Election Commissioner said the Commission would send a letter to the Ministry of Establishment recommending proper steps against the official.

Sakhawat Hossain called upon the political parties not to join the candidates' election campaign directly or indirectly.