The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda in a televised address to the nation yesterday announced the schedules of parliamentary and upazila elections to be held on December 18 and 28.

The CEC declared the schedules of the polls after the High Court rejected writ petitions challenging delimitation of parliamentary constituencies.

Changing the decision to stage upazila elections on December 24 and 28, the CEC said the upazila elections would be held simultaneously all over the country.

According to the parliamentary elections schedule, the last date for submission of nomination papers would be November 13. Scrutiny of the nomination papers will be carried out on November 16 and 17. The last date for withdrawal of the candidature is November 24.

The last date for nomination filing for Upazila polls is November 13. Scrutiny of the upazila nomination papers will be held on November 19 and 20 while the last date for withdrawal of candidature has been fixed November 27.

The CEC in his speech also mentioned newly included four provisions of the Representation of Peoples Order Act that spells the qualifications and disqualifications for contesting the polls.

Dr Huda said no one would qualify to contest in the polls without being a voter. An independent candidate must show support of at least one per cent voters of the concerned constituency to qualify to contest.

Civil servants within three years of their retirement, loan defaulters and bill defaulters are disqualified for the poll, he added.

Dr Huda urged all those involved with conducting the Jatiya Sangsad and Upazila elections to discharge their responsibilities with full neutrality and efficiency and the conduct of competing candidates.

He said the government and the Election Commission would arrange all types of security for the election officials.

"I want to say categorically: discharge the sacred duty vested on you remaining above all types of intimidation; ignore all unwanted influence and unjust demands," said the CEC.

"We will do whatever is necessary to ensure that people can go to the polling centres, cast their votes and return home safely."

On the registration of the political parties, the CEC said the aim of the registration was not to control the political parties but to lay out a framework for work between the Election Commission and the political parties.

He said the registration would create a good relation between the EC and the political parties, and ensure transparency and accountability of the political parties.

Dr Huda said until October 2008 a total of 8,11, 30,973 voters have been registered across the country. However, the number was 9,24,41,868 in 2006.

Apparently, 1,13,10,895 excess voters were registered in 2006 which has been corrected this year.

On the dialogues with the political parties the electoral chief said the dialogues were held in completely open and cordial atmosphere.

The political parties' opinions and recommendations on the commission's proposed amendments were pragmatic and timely.

The commission accepted most of the logical recommendations of the political parties and incorporated those in laws concerned and rules, he added.

Dr Huda requested all candidates participating in the Jatiya Sangsad election to maintain a peaceful atmosphere "through being imbibed by the democratic ethos and showing respect to each other".

He urged them to follow the electoral code of conduct and refrain from banned activities during election campaigns and on Election Day.

The CEC warned that traditional "showdowns" would not be tolerated in any way. He urged all to remain alert against such activities and trade in votes.

Huda said the post offices will remain open late in night, if necessary, for sending result sheets from the polling centres.

The CEC expressed the hope that with the sincere effort and participation of the political parties, intellectuals, journalists, students and people in general, the ninth parliamentary election and the third upazila election would be held peacefully on December 18 and 28 respectively.