Local government elections may begin in January: EC Anwarul

Election Commissioner (EC) Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar has said local government elections may begin in January next year. He made these remarks while speaking to journalists at the Election Building on Thursday, September 24.

EC Anwarul Islam said the commission does not see an opportunity to hold local government elections in November and December due to students' annual and public examinations. After the examinations are over, consideration is being given to starting elections from January.

He said annual examinations are generally held in November-December. Additionally, members of law enforcement agencies perform duties in public examinations. As a result, it is difficult to hold elections at that time. The plan is to hold elections later, taking into consideration the matter of completing students' examinations without disruption.

Regarding the election schedule, he said voting is being considered with a gap of 40 to 45 days from the date of the probable schedule. However, no final date has been fixed yet.

In response to a question on whether letters have to be exchanged with the government regarding local elections, Anwarul Islam said there is no such precedent. He said the government has been asked for a list of election-ready areas to organise elections.