Dhaka: Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud announced today that city corporation elections at the local government level will be conducted after Ramadan. ‘We hope that city corporation elections will be held very soon, that is, immediately after the month of Ramadan. Before that, we have by-elections, the schedules of which have already been announced. Those will also be held in due time,’ he stated during his speech as the chief guest at the executive committee election of the Reporters’ Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED) held at the media centre of the Election Building in Agargaon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Masud emphasized that the Election Commission will be occupied throughout the year with various forthcoming local government elections. He underscored the Commission’s obligation to conduct free and fair elections in accordance with the law. Masud clarified that while the Commission is responsible for implementing election-related laws, the parliament is tasked with enacting them.
He further discussed the Commission’s current activities concerning ongoing by-elections, indicating that a decision from the parliament regarding the use of party symbols in local government polls is awaited. Reflecting on the recently held 13th Jatiya Sangsad election and referendum, Masud mentioned that the Commission will analyze any shortcomings, although the elections were conducted in a free and fair manner.
Masud also appealed to journalists to maintain impartiality and engage in constructive criticism of the Commission’s activities, highlighting the importance of their role in ensuring transparency and accountability.