The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The Election Commission reaffirmed that it is moving ahead with October 23 as a tentative date for holding upazila elections before the stalled general election that the politicians want first.

But, the EC failed to make clear the schedule-announcing date and the number of upazilas going to the polls at the first go.

"October 23 is a possible date for holding the upazila polls-it's a preliminary discussion. It cannot be said for sure," Election Commission secretary M Humayun Kabir told reporters at his office on Wednesday afternoon.

He said the number of upazilas going to the election fully depends on preparation of the final voter list, and that's why the commission could not finalize the number of the upazilas.

Asked whether the upazila polls would be held in two phases, as some newspaper reports go, the EC secretary said the commission did not finalize whether the polls would be staggered or not. "It will be immature to say about it," he said.

About Dhaka City Corporation election, M Humayun Kabir said the EC has a plan to hold the DCC election after finalizing the voter list. "The date of the DCC election is also yet to be finalized."

Replying to a question, he said upazila elections would be nonparty but the leaders of political parties could participate in the election campaign due to the High Court verdict.