Staff Correspondent, Dhaka
Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Monday said the commission will announce the action plan or roadmap of the upcoming 13th parliamentary election within this week.
Speaking to reporters at the EC office in Dhaka’s Agargaon, he confirmed that a draft of the election roadmap has been prepared and will soon be placed before the commission for final approval.
"The plan focuses on inter-departmental coordination and relevant operational issues. We hope to finalise and publish it within the week," he said.
Addressing concerns over law and order, Ahmed said there is no immediate reason for worry as law enforcement agencies and administrative officials are already working in their respective areas.
"If everyone does their part responsibly, there won't be any problem," he added.
On voter list and NID updates, the secretary reported that around 80,000 appeals for NID corrections have been submitted so far, though the number is gradually declining.
He emphasised ongoing improvements in the data entry process for reducing future errors.
Regarding the number of polling stations, Ahmed noted that the overall number will remain the same and some adjustments may be made based on necessity. "We are exploring options like increasing the number of voters per booth from 500 to 600 for better efficiency."
The Election Commission also plans to scan and upload the unscanned Form-2 voter registration documents dating back to 2008 to enrich its digital database, he said.
On constituency delimitation, he informed that objections have been raised over 83 seats, with hearings scheduled from 24 August for four days, he added.
In terms of political party registration, 22 parties are undergoing field verification, Ahmed said.
Rejected applicants are being formally notified with specific reasons for disqualification, he added.
Ahmed stressed the importance of early preparation, saying that if all concerned can finish their work early, the coordination of the polling procedure will become smooth.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee member Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today said that a free and fair national election cannot be ensured under Awami League aligned administration and polling system.
"A fair election will not be possible with the current Awami-era administration or Awami-friendly polling agents. The Election Commission must appoint neutral officials at the field level to ensure fairness," he said.
Rizvi made these remarks while addressing reporters after paying homage at the grave of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar this morning.
The programme was arranged by the newly formed Nilphamari district unit of BNP.
Rizvi, also the party's senior joint secretary general, demanded the removal of "Awami-friendly cadres" from the election apparatus to restore neutrality.
Referring to the proposed proportional representation (PR) system of elections, he said the people of Bangladesh are not ready for such a system and expressed doubt about the motives behind its advocacy.
Highlighting widespread repression of BNP leaders and activists during Sheikh Hasina's tenure, Rizvi alleged that many spent years in jail on false charges.
"Speaking out against Sheikh Hasina meant facing fabricated cases and imprisonment. During her 16-year rule, BNP activists spent most of their time either being harassed or behind bars. You all know there was an influential minister from Nilphamari who applied a steamroller approach against BNP leaders and workers," he added.
On the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) elections, Rizvi voiced hope that participation of all political streams would contribute to restoring a healthy academic atmosphere.
"If all views are represented, a fair environment for education can be ensured," he said in reply to a question.
BNP Assistant Organizing Secretary Abdul Khalek along with several leaders and activists from Nilphamari district unit were present at the event.
