The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The Election Commission (EC) is set to announce the schedules for the ninth parliamentary elections and upazila polls on November 2.

"We'll announce the parliamentary and upazila polls schedules on November 2, said Chief Election Commissioner Dr ATM Shamsul Huda while inaugurating a training programme for Deputy Commissioners (DCs) on Electoral Laws and Rules at NEC Bhaban in the city yesterday. The parliamentary polls would be held on December 18 while the upazila elections have been planned for December 24 and December 28.

The CEC asked the DCs to work without fear from the day of announcing schedule to hold the elections in an impartial manner.

"You will have to work fearlessly. This is a golden opportunity for the government officials to apply the electoral laws and rules for holding a credible election," he said.

Dr Huda made it clear that only the EC has the right to direct the returning officers for election purposes.

"Even the Chief Adviser (CA) has no right to dictate the returning officers during the election period," he said. The CEC asked the DCs to be careful so that no voter is deprived in casting his/her vote for such a silly mistake as spelling in names.

He also asked the DCs to work neutrally during applying electoral rules and regulations.

Dr Huda instructed that the candidates from registered political parties would only be eligible to contest the forthcoming elections and no rebel leaders would get the chance of taking part in the elections under the respective party names.

Regarding convicted persons, he said those who are convicted under the emergency powers rules would not be eligible for election. He, however said that if anyone is convicted by any court under normal laws for less then two years, he/she would not be able to file nomination papers to contest the polls.

Election Commissioner M Sohul Hussain emphasised the importance of the role of DCs in applying the electoral laws to hold an impartial election.

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (Retd) M Shakhawat Hossain said the DCs only could play a vital role in holding the elections in a free, fair and impartial manner.

32 DCs attended the training programme in the first phase while another 32 DCs would take part in the second phase of the training to be held on October 28.