UP election schedule to be announced within this month: EC Anwarul

The Election Commission (EC) has finalised the code of conduct for local government elections, including Union Parishads. Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar has said that the schedule for the Union Parishad (UP) elections will be announced within this month once all preparations are complete.

He disclosed the information at a briefing at the Election Building on Sunday, September 6. The EC commissioner said the voter list update and polling centre identification have already been completed ahead of the UP elections. Work is currently underway to finalise the panel of presiding and assistant presiding officers.

The commissioner said the commission will hold a review meeting on the UP elections next week. In determining the election dates, priority will be given to the examination schedules of educational institutions. As November and December are important for students, polling dates will be set avoiding examination periods, since educational institutions will be used as polling centres and teachers will be on polling duty.

Regarding voter transfers, the commissioner said this is part of the EC's regular activities and does not involve any particular agenda. The commission has set specific timeframes for this work.

On Jamaat-e-Islami's demand to allow MPO-affiliated teachers to participate in local elections, the commissioner said the commission's observation is that teachers' political involvement could disrupt the neutral environment of educational institutions. There is also concern that questions may arise over teachers' neutrality while performing election duties.

The election commissioner said the use of technology will be increased to ensure security and a conducive voting environment in local government elections. CCTV cameras will be installed at every polling centre. The number of body-worn cameras will be increased and drones will also be used as needed. Work is also underway to address infrastructural weaknesses of polling centres.

Anwarul Islam Sarkar said elections for all Union Parishads across the country will not be held simultaneously, as it would be difficult to hold elections on such a large scale at once. However, UP elections will be held in phases, considering the need to reduce election costs.

He further said the Election Commission will hold exchanges of views with political parties, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to ensure violence-free, fair and neutral elections. The commission will also emphasise the use of body-worn cameras alongside CCTV cameras to monitor the situation at polling centres during elections.